N.H. Governor Signs
Civil Unions Law
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, May 31, 2007
CONCORD, N.H. -- Gay couples
in New Hampshire will able to join in civil unions starting next year under a
bill Gov. John Lynch signed into law Thursday.
''We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead and
opposing discrimination,'' Lynch said. ''Today that tradition continues.''
Couples entering civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities and
obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states also
would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.
Several Northeastern states already offer civil unions.
Massachusetts alone among the U.S. states allows gay marriage.
Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, as well as California and Washington
allow either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will join the
list with New Hampshire in January. Hawaii extends certain spousal rights
to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs.
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