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May 22, 2009

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 3

New Hampshire is set to be sixth state with marriage

by Anthony Glass

WITH WIRE REPORTS

Concord, N.H.-New Hampshire's state legislature was slated to vote on a final same-sex marriage bill on May 20, after reaching a compromise with Gov. John Lynch over extra protections for churches and their employees.

The legislature already approved a same-sex marriage bill that had yet to make it to Lynch's desk when he said that he would approve it if additional protections from lawsuits were added. Legislative leaders acted immediately.

"Throughout history, our society's views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded," the governor said. "New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections."

Pro-gay groups in the state commended the governor for overcoming his earlier objections to the law, and approved the changes to the bill.

"This is language we can support," said Mo Baxley, executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition.

New Hampshire will join Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts in recognizing full same-sex marriage in New England. Maine's governor signed that state's marriage bill into law earlier this month. Iowa also recognizes same-sex marriage. California's Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage last year, but the decision was overturned by voters through a constitutional amendment November's general election.

in

The California Supreme Court heard a challenge to the amendment, and their decision is expected as early as this week.

A bill to enact same-sex marriage in

New York passed the Assembly last week, but faces an uphill climb in the state senate, where it is opposed by up to four Democrats. No Republican state senators have expressed support.

However, on May 16, both Gov. David Paterson and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared at a pro-marriage rally in Manhattan, urging the state senate to take swift action to pass the measure in the six weeks remaining in the legislative session.

"We're in a race right now in New York," the New York Times quoted Paterson telling the crowd. "The time for justice, the time for equality, the time for equal rights can never be any more urgent than right now."

"We've got to put pressure on [the state senators] and not take any double talk for an answer," Bloomberg said at the rally. "We won't stop until we put a bill on the governor's desk."

The same day of the pro-marriage rally, an opposing rally drew thousands to Third Avenue, organized by State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.'s New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.

On the opposite side of the country, Gov. Chris Gregoire of Washington signed a bill on May 18 that turned the state's domestic partner law into de facto civil unions, conveying all the state rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage.

Opponents of the measure are beginning to gather signatures. They have to wait a week to see if a court challenge to their referendum's title is filed, then they will have until July 25 to gather over 120,000 signatures, while the progay side organizes a competing campaign, Decline 2 Sign.

Washington has 5,395 registered domestic partnerships, at least one in every county.

Singing and playing in the rain

ANTHONY GLASSMAN

Bassist Laura Ackerman, Angelisa Crognale, drummer Becky McMahon and Steph Burke rock a midday set at the Hessler Street Fair in Cleveland's University Circle on May 16.

The four comprise the band Early Girl, whose combination of original songs and covers had the crowd enthralled until their set got called on account of rain.

"We'd play more, but we don't want to die," Crognale said half-jokingly as what had been light sprinkles turned into a major downpour.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Hessler Street Fair, an annual gathering that highlights some of the finest food, crafts and wares.

Hessler Road, a one-block street nestled next to the Case Western Reserve University campus, was Cleveland's first to be granted Landmark District status in 1975. The fair began five years earlier to bring attention to residents' fears that the neighborhood would be demolished for campus expansion.

-Anthony Glassman

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