Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Homo New Hampshire Moves on Marriage Equality
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Here's a story that you won't see covered anywhere else (because only Slog is obsessed with this gay marriage business!): the New Hampshire state senate approved a gay marriage bill today; the state house in New Hampshire already approved a gay marriage bill. The bill now has a date with NH Governor John Lynch's desk. Lynch is a Democrat but he's said in the past that he believes marriage is a one-man-one-woman deal. He could veto the bill or let it become law without his signature.
You can email Governor Lynch here, or give him a call at 603.271.2121.
The bill was approved by the NH senate after it was amended to "allow churches to refuse to conduct a same-sex marriage [ceremonies]," something no church is compelled to do now for legally-marryin' heterosexuals whose unions might violate this, that, or the other church teaching. So, you know, even without this amendment no church that didn't wanna conduct gay marriage ceremonies would've been compelled to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies. (And, for the record, some churches wanna.) But, hey, if it makes 'em feel better to have that language in the bill, grease it up and stick it in.
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1
I read this on CNN before seeing it on the Slog so, yes, it is being reported.
Does this make CNN more gay than the Stranger?
Is gayness a journalistic competition sport?
Does this make CNN more gay than the Stranger?
Is gayness a journalistic competition sport?
4
Thread will go thusly:
-This is not news
-This is news
-LOL POST MOAR GAY STUFF HA HA
-Loveschild says something about people from out-of-state meddling
-Someone points her to Gary Randall and her defense of
-Loveschild rebuts with "THIS IS A TACTIC OF GAY MAFIOSOS"
-Kim in Portland says something amazingly sharp that goes over Loveschild's head
-Fnarf calls Loveschild a naughty name
-Patrick yammers on about Cinemark
-Guest Starring: LORD BASIL AND JOHN BAILO, WOO!
And then we end up in an endless feedback loop.
-This is not news
-This is news
-LOL POST MOAR GAY STUFF HA HA
-Loveschild says something about people from out-of-state meddling
-Someone points her to Gary Randall and her defense of
-Loveschild rebuts with "THIS IS A TACTIC OF GAY MAFIOSOS"
-Kim in Portland says something amazingly sharp that goes over Loveschild's head
-Fnarf calls Loveschild a naughty name
-Patrick yammers on about Cinemark
-Guest Starring: LORD BASIL AND JOHN BAILO, WOO!
And then we end up in an endless feedback loop.
8
It's interesting to watch how a story trickles into mainstream.
CNN's ticker beat out MSNBC. Fox says nothing (they're busy with flu-mongering).
This would be great news to many people in the U.S.
Damn shame we're all going to die next week.
Wasn't one of the horsemen called Pestilence?
CNN's ticker beat out MSNBC. Fox says nothing (they're busy with flu-mongering).
This would be great news to many people in the U.S.
Damn shame we're all going to die next week.
Wasn't one of the horsemen called Pestilence?
10
@9 - right yea? But this is still useful rhetoric. I phrased it thusly:
Governor Lynch,
I highly encourage you to sign same sex marriage into New Hampshire law. The bill your legislature is strong, granting long-overdue rights to American citizens seeking to start a family, and it also protects the rights of Christian congregations to practice their beliefs. Once the dust settles, the people you serve only stand to benefit from this.
Sincerely,
[me]
Governor Lynch,
I highly encourage you to sign same sex marriage into New Hampshire law. The bill your legislature is strong, granting long-overdue rights to American citizens seeking to start a family, and it also protects the rights of Christian congregations to practice their beliefs. Once the dust settles, the people you serve only stand to benefit from this.
Sincerely,
[me]
11
hello dan savage im really excited about gay marriage getting legalized and i want to know is there some way for me and my girlfriend to get gay married even tho were not gay, i mean i really want to support my local glbtqbltlolwtf community but is there some way i can just have 'gay' stamped on the top of our certificate to let everyone kno?
12
How Wonderful! Iowa and New Hampshire too! I wonder if it means anything that the first two states in our elections are the first two in this too! It seems like happiness is spreading everywhere for marriage!
13
Wait, was it not people like Dan who were saying just a couple of days ago that people out of a state shouldn't be sticking up their noses in that states business. He is a hypocrite of course and he is now telling people mainly from WA state to meddle in the political affairs of NH.
15
@13: Loveschild, didn't you defend Gary Randall saying this was okay because he felt he was right?
16
Dan, actually the bill has a date with the House again to resolve the matter of the amendment the Senate attached to it. Assuming they're ok with that, then it goes on the Governor Undecided.
17
15 I should know better than to fall in your traps but, No, what I defended was the rights of followers of Gary Randall who were residents of WA to push through for any legislation, your side headed by Queen Dan on the other hand were telling concerned groups who wanted to make sure that the people of Iowa were given a voice through the ballot box to determine if they wanted gay marriage legalized to butt out of the affairs of Iowa.
Have some dignity and recognize how hypocritical that stance is. You want to meddle into the laws of states to institute gay marriage but you don't want the opposition to do the same even though the opposition in reality wants to make sure that it is the people of the states the ones who decide if such a thing should be legalized as opposed to the sneaky impositions your groups seek through the courts and through lobbying corrupt politicians.
Have some dignity and recognize how hypocritical that stance is. You want to meddle into the laws of states to institute gay marriage but you don't want the opposition to do the same even though the opposition in reality wants to make sure that it is the people of the states the ones who decide if such a thing should be legalized as opposed to the sneaky impositions your groups seek through the courts and through lobbying corrupt politicians.
18
@Loveschild: Like that sneaky imposition through the courts and corrupt lobbying that passed every single step forward for African Americans? Should we have let "the people" have their say on that too? I'm sure even now we could find a few places that would strip rights in an instant if given the chance. That's why the Court and the Legislator was established, because a large portion of our country is filled with jerks who feel entitled to every protection and right, but also feel entitled to deny protection and rights to everyone who doesn't fit into their cookie cutter view of the world.
19
Loveschild, you dingbat, calling another state's governor and urging him to act on legislation, even if you're not a resident (which they find out when you call), is not the same as going to another state and trying to file a ballot initiative. Would you like me to explain why, or do you see that?
20
Hah, that's funny, the stupid, fucking cunt who just a few days ago was defending the right of out-of-staters to "meddle" in the affairs of another state, suddenly has seen the error of her ways, and now opposes this!
That is, until the next time the ones from out-of-state disagree with the stupid, fucking cunt's position on the issue, at which point, she'll flip-flop back again.
That is, until the next time the ones from out-of-state disagree with the stupid, fucking cunt's position on the issue, at which point, she'll flip-flop back again.
21
yeah the church amendment is such an obvious red herring. they were never going to be required to perform marriages, and they have never felt threatened to do so. lame ass scare tactic.
22
America's a lawsuit-crazy nation. People will sue for anything, if they think they can make a buck or two at it. I don't know if it's because people hate making an honest living or if we have too many lawyers. Putting a clause in that explicitly allows churches to refuse gays and their weddings is probably a safeguard against that. _I_ never want to force any church to marry me, and no right-minded person would, but I can totally foresee somebody somewhere down the line trying to sue for discrimination. The clause hurts no one, so I am A-okay with it. I hope this bill passes.
23
Well, it does seem rather silly - I mean, given a choice between Church A that allows and embraces marriage for same-sex couples, and Church B that opposes it, what - ? Gays are going to storm Church B en masse and demand to be married there?
OTOH, it certainly takes away the canard such churches would no doubt use in claiming the legislation will somehow FORCE them to marry gays against the wishes of their congregation.
OTOH, it certainly takes away the canard such churches would no doubt use in claiming the legislation will somehow FORCE them to marry gays against the wishes of their congregation.
24
Isn't this post about New Hampshire? Why, is Gary Randall, head of the Faith and Freedom Network (which isn't a church) and Iowa being discussed?
There is a big difference between calling or emailing a Governor or Senator to share your opinion, seeing that your have to provide your state residence when sharing your opinion. And, an Oregon resident (and Oregon registered voter) trying to but a referendum on the ballot in the state of Washington. The former is sharing your opinion and the latter is acting illegally.
There is a big difference between calling or emailing a Governor or Senator to share your opinion, seeing that your have to provide your state residence when sharing your opinion. And, an Oregon resident (and Oregon registered voter) trying to but a referendum on the ballot in the state of Washington. The former is sharing your opinion and the latter is acting illegally.
25
@Kim in Portland
I haven't told you this yet Kim, but I get happy everytime I read whatever you have to say. I have never once disagreed with the core of what you've said and you're a truly positive influence.
You're the only Christian I know of who would have an actual chance of making me a believer (again) because you're a very human face for your faith and truly espouse the lessons that Jesus was trying to convey. You're for the New Covenant, not parroting the lines of the Pharisees.
You're someone I wish I could be more like. Bless you for what you do and how you do it.
@Baconcat
You've become one of my favorite amusing parts of SLOG. Thank you! :-D
I haven't told you this yet Kim, but I get happy everytime I read whatever you have to say. I have never once disagreed with the core of what you've said and you're a truly positive influence.
You're the only Christian I know of who would have an actual chance of making me a believer (again) because you're a very human face for your faith and truly espouse the lessons that Jesus was trying to convey. You're for the New Covenant, not parroting the lines of the Pharisees.
You're someone I wish I could be more like. Bless you for what you do and how you do it.
@Baconcat
You've become one of my favorite amusing parts of SLOG. Thank you! :-D
28
@Donolectic
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I try to be a faithful representation of Christ's love, although I stumble a lot. I spend a lot of my time thinking of the pain caused by my fellow Christians and heterosexuals, and at times the shame is overwhelming. Perhaps, I should invest in some sack cloths and ash? :) At the end of the day I remember that I am a sinner captured by grace, and forgiven so I can love freely.
I enjoy reading your posts as well. I wish you joy, peace, beauty, love and grace.
Fondly,
k
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I try to be a faithful representation of Christ's love, although I stumble a lot. I spend a lot of my time thinking of the pain caused by my fellow Christians and heterosexuals, and at times the shame is overwhelming. Perhaps, I should invest in some sack cloths and ash? :) At the end of the day I remember that I am a sinner captured by grace, and forgiven so I can love freely.
I enjoy reading your posts as well. I wish you joy, peace, beauty, love and grace.
Fondly,
k
29
@ Baconcat,
You are my favorite prophetic cat made of bacon. Thank you for making me laugh today.
You are my favorite prophetic cat made of bacon. Thank you for making me laugh today.
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