NH gay rights advocates react to CA legalizing gay marriage
CONCORD, N.H.—New Hampshire gay rights advocates questioned whether California's decision to legalize gay marriage will help or hurt the future of gay partnerships in the Granite State.
One state lawmaker believes the California Supreme Court ruling -- which could take effect in as little as 30 days -- is the first step toward legalizing same-sex marriage in New Hampshire. But others urge caution. And one former lawmaker fears the decision may mobilize homophobic sentiments that could spread across state lines.
"It's a historic decision," said Rep. Mo Baxley, a Democrat from Andover. "I think in the very near future New Hampshire will also have marriage equality."
"This is a Live-Free-or-Die state," she added. "People in New Hampshire take it to heart."
Baxley sponsored a similar bill that would have permitted gay marriage in the state. The state Legislature chose to allow civil unions instead.
"The feeling was that we knew we could pass civil unions, but not the marriage bill," said Rep. Marlene DeChane, an openly gay Democrat from Barrington, who co-sponsored the same-sex marriage bill with Baxley.
DeChane said she believes civil unions carry less status than marriage and fears it will be difficult, if not impossible, to legalize gay marriage in the state.
"The climate in society is acceptable to recognizing gay and lesbian couples, but they're not ready to accept the full status of marriage," DeChane said.
More than 300 couples have gotten civil unions in the state since the first of the year when the law took effect, according to William R. Bolton at the state's Vital Records Administration.
Couples in civil unions have almost the same state rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. But the federal government does not recognize the unions.
State gay activist and former Democrat lawmaker Rick Trombley was wary of California's decision to legalize gay marriage.
Trombley fears the decision could inspire backlash, because it came from the court.
In 2000, more than 60 percent of California residents voted to only recognize marriage between a man and a woman.
He believes opponents will try to amend California's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. And he worries that opposition could spread across the country.
"I think it's going to motivate all those people who need the threat that gay marriage is going to spread throughout the country as a campaign issue," Trombley said.
Massachusetts is the only other state -- besides California -- that allows gay marriage.
New Hampshire became the fourth state in the country to adopt civil unions, followed by Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey.
