Kurtz
12-14-2007, 10:53 PM
(Concord, New Hampshire) Same-sex couples plan to celebrate New Hampshire's new civil unions law by holding a midnight group ceremony as soon as the law takes effect Jan. 1.
Democratic state Rep. Gail Morrison, a supporter of the civil unions bill that passed earlier this year, announced Wednesday she is organizing the group ceremony to take place at midnight on the Statehouse steps.
Morrison and co-organizer Jen Major say couples who have previously obtained licenses from town and city clerks and want to participate can sign up beginning at 11 p.m. on Dec. 31. Morrison and Major plan to get civil unions with their partners that night, Major said.
"It's the time to get together and celebrate our small victory," Major said in a phone interview.
State vital records officials are estimating 3,500 to 4,000 couples will get civil unions in 2008. That's roughly double the 1,704 unions performed in Vermont in 2000, the first year they were offered.
The Legislature passed a civil unions bill this year allowing same gender couples to enter civil unions and have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Gov. John Lynch signed the bill in May.
NH Civil Unions (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/121207nh.htm)
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Democratic state Rep. Gail Morrison, a supporter of the civil unions bill that passed earlier this year, announced Wednesday she is organizing the group ceremony to take place at midnight on the Statehouse steps.
Morrison and co-organizer Jen Major say couples who have previously obtained licenses from town and city clerks and want to participate can sign up beginning at 11 p.m. on Dec. 31. Morrison and Major plan to get civil unions with their partners that night, Major said.
"It's the time to get together and celebrate our small victory," Major said in a phone interview.
State vital records officials are estimating 3,500 to 4,000 couples will get civil unions in 2008. That's roughly double the 1,704 unions performed in Vermont in 2000, the first year they were offered.
The Legislature passed a civil unions bill this year allowing same gender couples to enter civil unions and have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Gov. John Lynch signed the bill in May.
NH Civil Unions (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/121207nh.htm)
:yay
:para