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Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in New Hampshire since January 1, 2010, based on legislation signed into law by the governor on June 3, 2009. The law provided that civil unions, which the state had established as of January 1, 2008, would be converted to marriages on January 1, 2011, unless dissolved, annulled, or converted to marriage before that date. ==Civil unions== Following the first same-sex marriages in Massachusetts in May 2004, New Hampshire established a 14-member commission to consider the question of civil recognition of same-sex relationships. The group, composed of legislators, politicians, and activists, reported its findings in November 2005. By a 7-to-4 vote it recommended modifying the state constitution to restrict marriage to heterosexual unions, reinforcing the state's statutory definition of marriage to prevent the judiciary from finding a constitutional requirement that same-sex couples be allowed to wed. Their report opposed as well the idea of civil unions like those recognized in Vermont in July 2000. The commission proposed instead certificates that would guarantee certain rights like hospital visitation, but no financial benefits. The certificates would be available to siblings, parents, and children as well. The commission members who dissented said it spent too much time hearings attacks on the morality of homosexuality. The chairman, Tony Soltani, a Republican member of the state House of Representatives, said; "If we redefined marriage, we'd be tarred and feathered, but if we give them some rights, it will be accepted." He said homosexuality could not be compared to race, because it is an "acquired behavior" or a "combination of both nature and nurture." He added: "I know it's not a long-term solution, but it is something a child can point to and say, my representatives say I'm OK, and I'm not a freak." Democrats became the majority party in the New Hampshire state legislature in the 2006 general election. Both Democratic and Republican legislators proposed legislation to grant same-sex couples greater civil rights. The proposals ranged from allowing a couple to enter into a "contractual cohabitation," a "civil union," a "spousal union," or a same-sex marriage. Governor John Lynch opposed same-sex marriage, but indicated that he was receptive to discussing civil unions as a means of granting certain rights to same-sex couples.〔Liebowitz, Sarah. (March 5, 2007) (Gay unions could gain support ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed April 11, 2007.〕 In early 2007, the legislature briefly considered a bill authorizing same-sex marriage until Democratic leaders assigned it to a study committee. On April 4, 2007, by a vote of 243 to 129, the New Hampshire House passed a civil unions bill that gave partners in same-sex civil unions the same "rights, responsibilities and obligations" as heterosexual married couples.〔Moskowitz, Eric. (April 5, 2007) (N.H. House passes civil unions ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed April 11, 2007.〕 Lynch took no public position until April 19, when he said that he would sign legislation establishing civil unions for same-sex couples because he believed "it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination."〔 On April 26, 2007, the New Hampshire Senate approved the civil unions bill 14-10 on a party line vote. On May 31, 2007, Governor John Lynch signed the civil unions bill into law,〔AP. (May 31, 2007) (Lynch signs bill legalizing civil unions ). ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed May 31, 2007.〕 making New Hampshire "the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one."〔Wang, Beverley. (April 26, 2007) (State Senate approves civil unions for same-sex couples ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed April 26, 2007.〕 The law took effect January 1, 2008.〔〔(HB 437 Bill Legislative History ) New Hampshire General Court. Accessed February 14, 2008.〕 Licenses for civil unions became available on December 10, 2007〔Fahey, Tom. (November 25, 2007) (State House Dome: Date set for civil union licenses ) ''New Hampshire Union Leader''. Accessed November 25, 2007.〕〔AP. (November 25, 2007) (Civil unions license available by Dec. 10 ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed November 25, 2007.〕 allowing civil unions to be formalized in the very early hours of January 1, 2008. Deputy secretary of state David Scanlan said, "As far as we're concerned, everything is on schedule."〔 The first civil unions were formed throughout New Hampshire just after midnight on January 1, 2008. The largest gathering occurred on the steps of the State House in Concord. An estimated 40 couples participated as 200-300 friends, family and onlookers observed. The event drew one protestor who "quietly handed out a statement calling all sex outside of heterosexual marriage a sin".〔Robidoux, Carolyn. (January 1, 2008) (Civil unions ring in the New Year ) ''New Hampshire Union Leader''. Accessed January 1, 2008.〕〔Timmins, Annmarie. (January 1, 2008) (Same-sex couples say 'I Do' just after midnight ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed January 3, 2008.〕 Under the New Hampshire civil unions law, same-sex civil unions or marriages conducted in other jurisdictions were recognized as civil unions in New Hampshire.〔(4 April 2007) (House Bill: 437-FN-LOCAL ) New Hampshire General Court (State Legislature). Accessed 29 August 2007.〕 Representative Maureen Mooney introduced legislation to repeal that portion of the civil unions bill, but her proposal was deemed inexpedient to legislate, a legislative procedure equivalent to not passing the bill out of committee.〔(December 31, 2007) (Midnight Ceremonies Mark Civil Unions ) WMUR-TV. Accessed January 3, 2008.〕〔(HB 1415 Text ) New Hampshire General Court. Accessed January 3, 2008.〕〔(HB 1415 Legislative History ) New Hampshire General Court. Accessed February 14, 2008.〕 At the end of 2008, after the law had been in effect for one year, approximately 600 civil union licenses had been issued by the state, while approximately 8,700 marriage licenses were issued by the state during the same period.〔AP. (January 9, 2009) (600 civil unions in first year for N.H. ) ''Concord Monitor''. Accessed January 11, 2009.〕〔(HB 73 Bill Status )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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