The ‘Why’ Gay Marriage is Good For N.H.


Top Photo
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, left, and his partner Michael Shiosaka wave at spectators in the upper gallery after the Senate voted for a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage Wednesday in Olympia, Wash. The measure now moves to the House, which has enough votes to pass the bill. Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and said she will sign it into law.

In June 2009, when Gov. John Lynch signed House Bill 436, New Hampshire became just the fifth state to adopt gay marriage. Since the law became effective Jan. 1, 2010, until this week, 1,861 same-gender marriages have been celebrated. We should all feel proud of that.
That's 3,722 people who call New Hampshire "home" — our neighbors and friends, co-workers and family members — making a commitment to share their love and caring for one another in marriage. A pretty decent thing for the "Live Free or Die" state.
But there are those who want to go backward. They want to repeal marriage. And there's a myth being promoted by those who oppose marriage equality. They say it was "brought" or "pushed onto" New Hampshire by out-of-state interests. They know better, but in their advertising they feel that such an untruth (I could call it worse) is persuasive.
I can attest first-hand to the fact that no one from out-of-state — no organization or individual — asked me to introduce either the civil unions bill in 2007 or gay marriage in 2009. Nor did any organization, group or political party within the state. Those of us who love New Hampshire and wanted to stop discrimination in marriage fought for change.
The true story of how we adopted marriage equality is something that should make us proud. We did it our way. The bill passed because hundreds of our citizens spoke at public hearings and thousands communicated their support to our legislators and our governor.
So, why is gay marriage good for New Hampshire? First and foremost, I believe it is a strong statement that our state appreciates and welcomes the diversity of our nation. What a wonderful lesson that is to our future generations. Our diversity is a special gift to us. In our state, our core value is that we respect everyone's right to be equal.
Here we realize all Americans should be free and treated the same under our laws, and that "liberty and justice for all" is an ideal, not just words. Our state has respected diversity for centuries, welcoming people from other countries, showing religious tolerance, and letting people live their lives. Marriage equality is one more way we have broken down walls of discrimination.
In America, we have never taken rights away, and in the "Live Free or Die" state I expect we will follow that tradition. We don't do that here. We're better than that.
There is economic benefit to gay marriage, which I won't dwell on because equality and rights should never be based on economics. But since we are concerned about city and town budgets as well as jobs, it should be noted there has indeed been a direct and positive benefit.
At $45 per marriage license, marriage equality has generated $83,745 for cities and towns, saving taxpayers money. Plus all those wedding plans and ceremonies — putting people to work and spending money here. Millions of dollars have been put into our economy thanks to marriage equality.
New Hampshire should go forward toward our destiny of being a wonderful and free state for all of our people. Maine voters will also consider the issue this fall — they should look at the value of marriage equality here, and say "yes." It's about people. It's about freedom. It's about fairness. And it's the right thing to do.
Today's quote: "In Germany they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up." — Pastor Martin Niemoller, 1892-1984
Today's thoughts: In the nation of "with liberty and justice for all," if we don't protect rights for all, we may have none at all. In the "Live Free Or Die" state, how can we say free for some?
Next time: Past lessons on fighting Washington to keep our navy yard open.
Jim Splaine is a former longtime Democratic state representative, state senator and assistant mayor from Portsmouth. His political column appears every other week in Seacoast Sunday, and he can be reached atjimsplaine@aol.com





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