Gays open to being
open in N.H.
Number of
same-sex couples doubled in 5 years
By RYAN J. HALLIDAY,
from the Web, December 8, 2007
A new study says more gay and lesbian
couples are coming out of the closet in the Granite State, where a law offering
civil unions for same-sex partners is about to go into effect.
From 2000-2005, the number of same-sex couples in the Granite State more than
doubled, from 2,703 to 5,578, according to a recent study conducted by the
Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation at the University of California Los
Angeles School of Law.
The increase likely reflects the willingness of people in same-sex relationships
to reveal their partnerships on government surveys, not a case of more gay and
lesbian couples moving to the state, the UCLA research said.
Carisa Cunningham, a spokeswoman for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, or
GLAD, said the gay marriage debate has erased some of the societal stigma
attached to same-sex partners.
"In general, in the last few years gay and lesbian issues have gained a much
higher profile, especially with the debate over gay marriage," she said.
"Increased visibility generates more tolerance, and more tolerance causes gays
and lesbians to be more willing to be open about their lives."
Same-sex couples will be allowed to enter into civil unions in the Granite State
starting Jan. 1.
New Hampshire is the tenth state to approve spousal rights in some form for same
sex couples. Massachusetts is the only state that allows same-sex marriage
The increase in recorded same-sex couples in New Hampshire reflects a nationwide
trend. The study shows that the number of same-sex couples in the U.S. has
quadrupled since 1990 -– growing at a rate 21 times that of the population.
Increases, the report says, have been the most dramatic in the Midwest, Mountain
and Southern states.
The study also finds that same-sex couples in New Hampshire have "significantly
fewer economic resources" than married heterosexuals. For example, the
annual earnings of men in same-sex couples are more than $13,000 less than
married men.
Cunningham says those figures may change once the civil union law goes into
effect, pointing out that same-sex partners will be able to file taxes jointly
and take advantage of loved one's benefits.
"We do know that couples who are unable to marry are disadvantaged financially
as well as legally," she said.
Same-sex couples by county.
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Number of same-sex couples
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Source: Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation at the UCLA School of Law
Ryan J. Halliday
can be reached at 594-5860, or at
rhalliday@nashuatelegraph.com.
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