Civil unions come to New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. - Bundled against the freezing temperatures in ski hats, snow boots, woolen overcoats and earmuffs, about three dozen same-sex couples said "I do" as Granite Staters - both gay and straight - celebrated the implementation of the state's civil union law in front of the New Hampshire State House minutes after the start of the New Year.

In the glare of a TV camera's light and with two reporters hovering around them, state Rep. Gail Morrison and her partner of 26 years, Pauline Chabot, were joined in a civil union by the Rev. Tess Baumberger of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Franklin, the church that Morrison and Chabot attend together. "Our years together have been filled with love for each other and our families," Morrison told Chabot, whose face was wet with tears, during their exchange of vows. "We have experienced ... the beauty of the life around us and we've experienced pain and hardship and survived the stronger together. I promise to cherish you through our days together and always."

"May blessings be upon this union of Gail and Pauline," Baumberger intoned solemnly after the vows. "May they continue to grow in love in patience and understanding of themselves and one another. May they live joyfully to a healthy old age, two women warmed by the glow of one another's good hearts," she said. But the minister could not contain her joy when she made Morrison and Chabot's union official: "By the power vested in me by the state of New Hampshire - woo-hoo! - I now declare you civilly united."

A few hundred revelers, including a woman who strolled through the crowd toting a sign that read "Congratulations Couples," joined in the celebration of the historic law, the first civil union law created by a state legislature without a court order or the threat of one.

"New Hampshire is the first state in this nation to welcome civil unions for same-gendered couples without a lawsuit to force the issue," Morrison, one of the organizers of the celebration, told the crowd in remarks shortly before midnight, drawing a burst of cheers and applause.

Lawmakers in Vermont and New Jersey, for instance, crafted their civil unions laws in response to court mandates that resulted from lawsuits filed by same-sex couples (represented in Vermont by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) seeking the right to marry. Connecticut enacted civil unions after same-sex couples, also represented GLAD, filed a marriage equality lawsuit, which is still pending in the courts. Massachusetts achieved marriage equality through a state Supreme Judicial Court decision, though the ruling has been defended by the legislature, which has twice voted down constitutional amendments seeking to roll back the decision.

Just steps away from Morrison and Chabot, in the shadow of a giant snowbank, Rita Lemy and Linda Archer of Manchester exchanged vows as a photographer from a local newspaper clicked away. "It feels wonderful," said Lemy, a state employee, after the brief ceremony. "It really enriches our commitment to each other." The couple met three years ago in Texas, where, Lemy joked, "they would just as soon put us on the front bumper, in fact, than look at us."

Striking a more serious note, Lemy emphasized the importance of having her relationship to Archer, a mortgage banker, legally recognized. "Both of us grew up in the 50s and 60s," said Lemy, "and back then [being gay] wasn't something that was even acknowledged. And to grow through those years as a gay person, this has been a long time coming."

Though Archer said both she and Lemy are generally private people, she noted that they felt it important to go public with their commitment to each other. "We wanted to be a part of history and to help other people," said Archer. "I know how we struggled, I know how I struggled, and hopefully this will help other gays and lesbians, younger gays and lesbians, that are struggling. And that's what it's all about."

State Rep. Jim Splaine, one of the chief sponsors of the civil unions legislation, struck a similar chord in his remarks to the crowd. Noting that there were young people in the community who still face harassment at school because they are either gay or perceived as such, Splaine said, "When they see pictures tomorrow and this week and in the future of good same-gendered couples who are coming together to share their life and their love together they are going to realize that it's okay to be gay. And the state is saying it's okay to be gay. That is the kind of legacy all of you who are being committed to one another through civil unions are leaving for our people."

Despite the celebratory sounds of popping champagne corks and cheers as couples made their unions legal, there was an awareness among some revelers that civil unions are just a step on the road to full equality. As Splaine said, "There is much more to do. We have to continue the journey to make sure that we have marriage equality, full marriage equality with the word 'marriage.'"

Likewise, New Hampshire state Rep. Mo Baxley, who is also the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, called the celebration of civil unions "bittersweet."

"I think the public celebration is a little tempered because it's not marriage equality," said Baxley. "It's civil unions and it's not quite what we want." Nonetheless, Baxley said she is proud of the step New Hampshire has taken in recognizing same-sex couples. "I think it's important to recognize that this is the first time that the state of New Hampshire recognizes our right to love," said Baxley. "And that's worth celebrating. They don't recognize it as quite equal yet, but it's still a milestone. So it's time to celebrate."

Erin Dunlap and Chris Corley of White River Junction, Vt., attended the festivities at the invitation of Dunlap's niece, who is a lesbian. As they stood on the State House stairs taking in the sight of couples exchanging vows down on the plaza in front of them, Dunlap observed, "It's just amazing to see what a huge step this is. We've had so many people in our lives that have been waiting for this. So for this moment to come, it brings tears to your eyes just to see everybody be able to be united right now and see how many people turn out to see and support what's going on. It's just beautiful."

"It makes you proud to be an American," said Corley as he observed the scene. "This is what America's all about: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Be happy. Do what you have to do to be happy. And America should support that."