Gay Marriage Signed into Law in NH.

[Michelle.]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_on_re_us/us_xgr_gay_marriage_new_hampshire

I guess the GOP Gov. Lynch wanted to keep his job come re-election time.

It was thought he might not sign the bill, thus setting up a "pocket-veto" situation.

[fae_reborn]

I love the Northeast. 

Come on NY!

[HelenW]

I am pleased to see that civil marriage equality has once again emerged victorious, the latest example being New Hampshire.  New England has become the leader of the nation in this issue, as it was when slavery was still legal and the New England abolitionists were active.

The problem is that this comes on the heels of having the inclusion of gender identity and expression in New Hampshire's nondiscrimination law voted down by a margin of 24 to 0.  I fear that, given past history regarding the LGB(t) community, gender variant people in New Hampshire, along with those other states that have passed same sex marriage equality before passing inclusive nondiscrimination law, will never get equal protection until such time that the Federal government passes some version of the Employment Non Discrimination Act.  Of course, that is unless gender identity and expression are once again removed for "political" reasons.

New Hampshire joins Massachusetts and Connecticut as states that allows same sex couples to marry while still allowing harmful discrimination against gender variant citizens by not having inclusive nondiscrimination law.  New York State may be close behind in joining this less than stellar category.  I am losing hope that I will see equal protections for gender variant people within my lifetime.  Will it happen?  When?

[DarkLady]

Governor Lynch is a democrat and according to artickle he keeps personally opposing gay marriage even he did not veto it.

There are states with gender idenity in employment discrimination protection without gay marriage: Rhode Island, New Jersey, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois and Colorado. And California currently.

[Shana A]

The problem is that this comes on the heels of having the inclusion of gender identity and expression in New Hampshire's nondiscrimination law voted down by a margin of 24 to 0.  I fear that, given past history regarding the LGB(t) community, gender variant people in New Hampshire, along with those other states that have passed same sex marriage equality before passing inclusive nondiscrimination law, will never get equal protection until such time that the Federal government passes some version of the Employment Non Discrimination Act.  Of course, that is unless gender identity and expression are once again removed for "political" reasons.

Having worked for both of these bills, writing letters and also submitting personal testimony, I was devastated (still am) by the failure of HB415. There are some good legislators who are committed to the gender identity bill though, and it will come up in the next season. Hopefully we'll win next time!

Z

[Michelle.]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lynch_(New_Hampshire)#Job_Approval_Ratings

I believe I had him confused with the Gov. of VT. Though given Lynch's recored I would most likely vote for the guy.

NH top 5 in both freest and safest States to live in. Too bad it gets C-O-L-D during winter.

[Shana A]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lynch_(New_Hampshire)#Job_Approval_Ratings

I believe I had him confused with the Gov. of VT. Though given Lynch's recored I would most likely vote for the guy.

NH top 5 in both freest and safest States to live in. Too bad it gets C-O-L-D during winter.

Gov Lynch is moderate and tends to play it pretty safe, he has done a lot of good though, and just moved a few steps higher in my opinion.

Yes, it's way too cold here in the winter!

Z

[fae_reborn]

Yes, it gets very cold up here.  Definitely not for the faint of heart.  We get 40 feet of snow or more, and the constant winter blizzards keep us indoors for most of the year.  Our summers are a relief, but they are very short.  Don't come up here. 

On a more serious note however, I agree with Emelye with regard to ENDA.  I don't know if it will be take up by the federal government.  While social issues are very important, and I want to see us achieve equality, I believed the fed is more concerned with the economy and terrorism at the moment, so I'm unsure if we will achieve equality even in my lifetime. 

Also, former V.P. Cheney stated that he believes gay marriage "is a state issue" and not a federal one.  It's highly doubtful that as a larger community, GLBT individuals will gain rights in all states.  I have almost no hope for southern states in this regard, and I'm not trying to stereotype, it's just the culture in southern states is highly hostile to GLBT people in general.

I'd also like to add that Vermont has granted full rights for gender variant people by forbidding discrimination in employment and housing based on gender identity and gender expression.