New Hampshire approves civil unions for gays and lesbians

Democrats took control of the state congress last fall, and now another state joins the list of those giving us the same rights (at the state level) that heterosexuals enjoy:

A bill authorizing civil unions for gays cleared its last hurdle today in New Hampshire, the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one.

The Senate passed the bill 14-10 on straight party lines, Democrats in favor, Republicans against.

“To me this legislation is a credit to our state. We’re making this move not because some court someplace is telling us that we must,” said Democratic Sen. Joe Foster of Nashua. “We do so today because it is the right thing to do.”

The bill goes to Gov. John Lynch, who announced last week he will sign it.

“This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing discrimination,” said Lynch spokesman Colin Manning. “It is in keeping with New Hampshire’s proud tradition of preventing discrimination.”

The bill’s success is an about-face from two years ago, when a study panel recommended giving no meaningful consideration to extending legal recognition to gay couples. That panel, staffed mostly by supporters of a ban on gay marriage, concluded that homosexuality is a choice and endorsed a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman.

Democrats won control of the Legislature last fall for the first time in more than a century.

Hallelujah!!

PS: this is why elections matter. Go vote.