Not wanting to be outdone by New York, Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire has agreed to sign a marriage equality bill with a few minor changes. The edits will provide religious protection clauses, similar to those of Vermont or Connecticut. Looks like we're extremely close to having six states where gay marriage is legal.
– Dewitt
instead of waiting for all 50 states to make such decisions month after month, why not just have a federal system of civil unions.. and let states have the freedom to decide about ‘marriage’. A lot of us who have partners outside the country cant unite due to the lack of a federal blanket.. Such a shame that America is keeping me away from the freedom to be with my lover!
Live free or die, baby.
I agree with EJ. Federal protection is something that should be done. I live in a metro area where all I have to do is drive 90 minutes or less in any given direction and I could be in any of 5 different states. Each with their own laws that govern how me and my partner are protected and treated. God forbid that we should ever be out of our own state and have some type of accident happen then where would web be? Fighting with the powers that be just to be able to see each other in the hospital or to make a life / death decision for my partner. Equal protection under the law should be for every US citizen, not just some.
Actually, the Constitution prohibits the Feds from setting up a protection system. It specifically denotes marriage as something to be left to the states, which also means the “Definition of Marriage Act” is unconstitutional, but since it has yet to be challenged in the Supreme Court, it’s not removed from the books.
This is another indication that the face of our country is changing. Not for better or worse.
I believe that the institution of marriage should be reserved for a man/woman relationship but it appears that more than a few governors don’t believe the same thing. I accept it, move on, and realize that many are liberated by this legislation.
I feel that my home state of NJ may be the next to enact same same-sex legislation.
Even though I don’t necessarily agree I applaud these governors for standing up for what they believe in. With any mass movement it’s always the first few that have to make the toughest s because they are subject to the most criticism.
Ryan
Nice to see the change occurring, one by one we’ll get there.