New Hampshire "Not Ready" for Gay Marriage

In the Boston Globe:

CONCORD, N.H.—The state Senate's Judiciary Committee has recommended that the Legislature reject legalizing gay marriage in New Hampshire.

The committee voted 3-2 Thursday against a bill that passed the House last month. Committee Chairwoman Deborah Reynolds, a Democrat, said she doesn't think New Hampshire is ready for gay marriage. Republicans who voted against it said marriage is an institution created and defined by God as between one man and one woman.

I can't imagine what was going through Reynolds mind! Perhaps she forgot to read the party platform? Another part of the problem is the New Hampshire Democratic Party seems to be absent in this struggle as well. Where is the democratic leadership on this issue?! I can say that although I am disappointed that democrats would abandon their own platform and buy into the fear mongering I can say I am not surprised. Look how long New Hampshire held back on recognizing Martin Luther King Day. There was egg on there face then and there will be egg on their face now in the same way. New Hampshire is about to be surrounded on all sides by full marriage equality and the Live Free or Die state is going to become an island of intolerance and ignorance. For shame.

Here's the email I got from the HRC:

Dear John,

Please take urgent action now -- call your state senator today. Two important bills are in danger of not passing in New Hampshire.

HB 436, the marriage equality bill, would replace the separate and unequal civil union system with full marriage equality under state law for lesbian and gay couples in loving and committed relationships.

HB 415 is a bill that would add gender identity and expression protections to the state's anti-discrimination and hate crimes law.

Please call your state senator now and all through the weekend and urge him or her to support both HB 436 and HB 415. We expect the full senate to hear the bills early next week and we cannot express how urgent it is that you call your state senator today. Please forward this e-mail to everyone you know in the state of New Hampshire and urge them to call their state senator today and throughout the weekend.

Click here to find the phone number for your state senator or call (603) 271-2111.