|
 NH Civil Unions Proving Popular
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 13, 2008 - 11:00 pm ET
(Concord, New Hampshire) In the two weeks that
New Hampshire's civil unions law has been in effect more than 100 same-sex
couples have taken advantage of it.
The legislation went into effect on New Year's
Day and was marked by a mass ceremony for 37 couples on the plaza of the New
Hampshire Statehouse. (story)
Another 56 were united the same day in towns across the state. The additional
unions have taken place since January 1.
Although the law went into effect on New Year's
Day couples could begin filling out applications on December 10. Since
then 183 civil unions licenses
have been issued. The
licenses are valid for 90 days.
That would mean about half the couples who have
applied for licenses have so far been united. LGBT activists in the state
say many couples are waiting for the hoopla to die down and speculate many of
those holding off on their ceremonies will be united on Valentine's
Day.
State records show that the vast majority of
couples who applied for licenses are from New Hampshire, although they are
available to couples from outside the state.
Gov. John Lynch signed the legislation last May (story)
making New Hampshire the state fourth to grant civil unions after New Jersey,
Connecticut and Vermont. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004 became the only state
to allow gay marriage.
Couples entering civil unions will have the same
state rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. But the
federal Defense of Marriage Act bars them from any federal rights.
Same-sex unions from other states also would be
recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.
©365Gay.com 2008
|
Entertainment
