YOUR COMMENTS

If we really want to change the way our elected officials behave then we need to do it at the polls. Look up who it is that is not representing your views and vote them out. In this case I can tell you that one of the sponsors of the bill was "Bathroom" Barbara Richardson. I found this out by looking up the bill, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will not be voting for her when her term is up because I know that she is wasting my tax dollars on frivolous action that does not represent my views nor does she represent the things that I value.
- Jack Fletcher, Richmond, NH

Reading most of these comments has made me truely scared of the people in this state. So many narrow minded backward statements. Most of you are making homosexuals sound sub-human.

Pauline from Franklin: "Marriage is supposed to unite a MAN and a WOMAN for the purpose of creating offspring. Since gays can't do that without help from the opposite sex....." if that's the case, why infertile couples are allowed to marry. I, for one, would love to be there when the proponent of such an argument is to explain to his post-menopausal mother or impotent father that since they cannot procreate, they must now surrender their wedding rings and sleep in separate bedrooms. That would be fun to watch!
- marriage is about love, sharing and commitment; procreation is, when it comes right down to it, in reality a purely secondary function.

As to the Bible thumpers calling gay marriage immoral, Says who? The Bible? Somehow, I always thought that freedom of religion implied the right to freedom from religion as well. The Bible has absolutely no standing in American law, as was made clear by the intent of the First Amendment (and as was very explicitly stated by the founding fathers in their first treaty, the Treaty of Tripoli, in 1791) and because it doesn't, no one has the right to impose rules anyone else simply because of something they percieve to be a moral injunction mandated by the Bible.
- Trina, Derry

I would like to say for the record that I am not gay. I am a heterosexual person, who is in a very happy marriage and I believe that everyone who has found their true love (whether it be a same or opposite sex true love) should be able to enjoy the same rights as those of us who are in society's "norm." Shame on all the bigots who think that they are better than someone else just because of their sexual orientation. Being gay is not a choice, it's the way people are born and they should have a right to the same things as those of us born heterosexual.
- Jessica, Pembroke

Another good reason to avoid New Hampshire.
- Hugh, Portland,ME

Gay marriage has nothing to do with the Bible and very little to do with the constitution. This comes down to the question of whether the state should support marriages of an unnatural and biologically counterproductive nature; whether the state should endorse unhealthy forms of marriage that reproductively endanger the human race, and sexual practices that have shown to be the source of many public health issues in this century. If the state should cross that line and accept gay marriage, there is no longer any moral grounds to reject polygamy, bigamy, or other unhealthy forms of consensual relationships either. Marriage was instituted by governments to support the continuation of a race via pro-creation and to protect public health. Gay marriage is counterproductive to both of these.

Transgender "rights" has nothing to do with the Bible or with the constitution. It has to do with whether the state should give special attention / concessions to people who make decisions to physically mutilate their bodies in such a way that they want to look like one gender, but have the parts of another. As far as I'm concerned, you're free to do whatever you want to your body, but you're not going to hang out in the bathroom with me and my child. It's none of the state's business if someone wants to judge you as a result of decisions you've made, and I could care less if you feel an emotional need to cut yourself or not. You're not entitled any more protections than any other person. Get over it.

I find it sickening that weak minded liberals would try and compare either to discrimination based on race or religion.
- Jonathan, Bedford

It is AWFUL that we still allow discrimination to continue. I do not choose who others are "allowed" to love nor do I think others should choose who I can love. I can go see my husband in the hospital if if were dying...many can not and I find that appaling.
- joanne, manchester nh

To Mike in Manchester
It's obvious you have never read the Bible or the Constitution or any real history about our founding fathers. You should get a bible and read from the beginning. Start in Genesis where God made Adam and Eve and read the account of what God did. I challenge you to read the whole bible (old and new testament). I guarantee after reading it you probably wont like what is says, but you will know the heart of God.

I agree that we need to contact our senators to let them know what we want. And come election time, we need to get all those wackos out of there.

PS. The first marriage was instituted by God in Genesis 2:18-25 (here I am quoted only Genesis 2:25 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

God is referring to Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
- Lisa, Manchester

It's time to flush the Democrats out of the House of Reps. And take Lynch with them. He's supposed to be the leader of this party and his party is out of control.
- MOMwithAbrain, Bedford, NH

Fred, san fransisco, (& others),
That's the idea. We ought to remove all fed & state benefits of marriage and have the whole US go civil union for all.
Then leave the sacriment of marriage for the church and define it as one man and one woman.
Spread the word.
- Rick, Farmington

Bruce from Westminster, read your Thomas Paine, specifically The Age of Reason in which he wrote, "I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life." Paine did not doubt the existence of a deity, only the divinity of Jesus.
- PJC, Temple

Thank god that the good people of NH defeated this satanic bill. I feel safer already.
- LJC, Manchester

Separation of church and state is NOT in the constitution, but the Supremacy Clause and the concept of due process both are. These grant us certain rights that a Senatorial committee (or any government body for that matter) should not be permitted to prevent us from obtaining.
- Mike, Hampstead, NH

Mike from Manchester, read your Bible. That is where marriage is first defined. Then read the Federalist Papers. The Founders were Christian with the exception of a very few, like Thomas Paine who was agnostic, but quoted scripture frequently.

The 1st Amendment has a "free exercise" clause which follows the "establishment clause. There is no mention of a separation in the U.S. Constitution.

Dom from Weare, couples don't have abortions, regrettably only women do, often over the objection of, or without the knowledge of, the father. But I understand your argument: If only we were all gay, there would be no abortions!

Bruce, Westminster, MA
- Bruce, Westminster, MA

For Jessica, Pembroke. NH & Lisa in Concord.

As for hetrosexuals making a mockery of marriage, consider researching this:

Julie Goodridge and Hillary Goodridge, the petitioners and pioneers of the Gay Marriage Bill and first to legally marry in Mass. Filed for divorce in Jan 2009. They are among seven same sex couples who have filed for divorce THIS YEAR! All have children, adopted or otherwise, that are now embroiled in sad situations.

So yes, Jessica and Lisa. You have equal rights to pain and suffering in the hetro world of divorce!
- Annah, Londonderry, NH

These issues aren't over yet. Wait till the rainbow revolution pressure machine goes to work on the NH Senators like it did on the Represetatives. We love the LGBT's dearly but also know they will stop at nothing to force their San Francisco culture down our throats. This time we need to catch them in the act and hold them to the mirror of justice.
- Jim, Manchester

To Dave from Manchester: If marriage is a "sacrament" it has no place in civil law.
- fred, san francisco, ca

Hetrosexual couples are responsible for 100% of abortions. Can you picture libtards using this as a future headline? For time eternal marriage has been defined as a man and woman. This fact crosses all ethnic races and seven continents. Homosexuals have equal rights with civil unions. They are protected against discrimination with current laws. A marriage is HUSBAND and WIFE, male and female, respectively. A civil union on the other hand is two men or two women. If you put peanut butter on two pieces of bread, it is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Should we make a law allowing peanut butter sandwiches to be sold as PB&J? Ms California was denied being Ms USA because she believes a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Perhaps the solution to all of NH's and the country's woes is a simple flip of an old time problem: taxation without representation. We could make representation based on taxation: If you don't pay income taxes, then you don't vote. Scary, but the 40-50% of citizens and illegals who dont pay taxes generally vote liberal (I wonder why)
- Michael Layon, Derry

For someone who supposedly knows their history, Mike sure does not know his Constitution. Go try to find the words "separation of church and state." It can't be found in the document. It comes from a personal letter of Thomas Jefferson. Since when do the letters of political leaders have the weight of law? Oh yeah, when Supreme Court justices want them to. The Constitution speaks only of the establishment of religion. That is the only thing Congress can't do. With so many Christain sects, it would have proved to controversial. Your first paragraph then continues the point I would make. Christianity was to direct our laws and customs.
- JAS, Manchester, NH

As far as the "bathroom" part of the bill, I agree with Thomas Thorp. If you are physically currently a man use the mens room. If you are physically a woman use the womans room.

In regards to the arguments about marriage vs. civil unions, I think the government should get completely out of the arguments one way or the other. Marriage was made by religious groups not governments.

Who cares who you want to be with. I don't even care what you call it. There is no need for our government to recognize either of them. If you need insurance for you partner (regardless of sex) it should be up to the insurance provider to decide if it will allow you to recognize someone for coverage.

And for taxes, why should it matter if you are married or not. We should all pay at the same rate regardless of if you are single or "with" someone.
- TMAN, Manchester

hey jessica,
we "heterosexuals" are not making a mockery of marriage you people are! marriage is a sacred union between man and woman! this was always the defintion until you people changed it! remember adam and eve? not adam and steve, nor elaine and eve! and if you gender is male , i dont care what your clothing say, you use the mens room! so what about the rapist that figures , hey ill dress like a woman to get in the womans bathroom to conduct a rape? then you would want the rules changed! be happy with what you are and what you were born as! this whole story makes a mockery of life itself! this is the live free or die state! you can live free all you want but you cant use the ladies room!
- george, hillsborough

I'm so tired of the claim that the founding fathers were christians. They were deist, who felt that the christian rule set was a decent foundation for founding the country on. That's a major distinction that gets overlooked thanks to cognitive dissonance.

I'm also tired of politicians who take an oath to stick with the constitution, including the ideas of separation of church and state (which benefits both groups), and then come out with statements like "that what god would want", as if they know, as if anyone knows what god really wants, assuming there is one, and that it's the same one, and that god knows, and cares, that were here, plus 30 other questions that should be answered in full before deciding what god wants or doesn't want people to do with their bodies.

Apparently, people don't know the etymology of the word Marriage: which was simply is a business contract between families. Church, and certainly the christian church, came later. Personally, I think all states should only have civil unions: if you want a marriage, go find a church to do it. If that church doesn't want to, fine. If they do, fine. That solution "should" keep everyone happy ... except there will always be buttheads who cling to the old ways just as the KKK still finds people to cling to their outdated believes.
- Mike, Manchester

Right On Jessica! One day we shall prevail! Or maybe we should just let the hetrosexuals own "marriage" since they have pretty much disgraced its meaning anyway with the divorce rate. Senators you are all cowards!!!!!
- Lisa, Concord

Make no mistake, these "social engineering" issues will return year after year unless sane voters/people remove these pandering politicians and make them focus on solving fiscal and pragmatic solutions for the vast majority of hard working New Hampshire residents, whom don't have the time to lobby Concord for selfish agendas.
- Mike, Raymond

These committee votes are encouraging but these bills still must be voted on by the full Senate and an ITL recommendation by a committee is no guarantee that the bill will fail. Don't forget to call and/or email your State Senator and let them know what you want them to do when the bills get to the floor for a final vote.

Posts to message boards are fun but it's direct contact with your elected officials that makes the difference.
- Mark, Amherst

Great news!!! Special kudos to Dem Chairwoman Reynolds for standing up for what is right regardless of party doctrine.
- Marc, Weare

To CJ in Manchester: That's right, homosexual couples are not the same as heterosexual couples because it's only the heterosexual couples that have abortions.
- Dom, Weare

Personally I have no problem with gay marriage, but I understand that many people do. I feel that we have a democratic society, and NH should have residents vote on this. We should approve what the moral majority of our State agrees with. We don't need people in Concord, who just worry about reelection and politics to make moral decisions for us.
- Drew, Manchester

Ed-

"Civil unions are not the same as marriage."

That is correct becasue homosexual couples are not the same as heterosexual couples.
- CJ, manchester

Joan,
I don't think you know what this country was founded on. This country was founded on the belief of freedom of religon. That doesn't mean one religon is better or more legal than the other. This isn't the Lord of the Rings where "One Religon to rule them, One Religon to find them, One Religon to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. "
- John, Auburn

Civil unions may not be the same as marriage but the gays are lucky they got that. Homosexuality isn't normal and isn't acceptable. Take your immorality to VT.
- Bill, Dunbarton

Do the gays and the people who can't make their mind up what sex they are have the right to work, buy a house, drive, etc? If they are crying so loud to be treated equally, then someone should give them a wake up call and tell them they already are. In some cases, they have MORE rights than normal people do.
Keep your debauchery in the closet where it belongs.
Marriage is supposed to unite a MAN and a WOMAN for the purpose of creating offspring. Since gays can't do that without help from the opposite sex, it is obvious that it wasn't meant to be.
We are not Mass. or Vermont. We are NH, a state that holds its morals and values sacred. Don't ruin it by greasing the squeaky wheels. If they hate NH for it, fine, then they can go to another state with their kind.
As for the mixed up people, I am sure they have sufficed with using the correct bathroom for their gender and they will live. They won't die because they had to use the facilities for which God made them.
- Pauline, Franklin

It is still very disappointing that these solons need to spend this much time and money to reach these conclusions.
- Tom, Campton

Civil unions are not the same as marriage. To suggest that civil unions have adequately addressed the issue is incorrect.
- ed, londonderry

it appears that the politicians see polls as something to be gotten around, ignored - rather than representing the wishes of their constituents. The current regime knows that if they present enough legal challenges and enough skewed pro gay propaganda, they will eventually win a war of attrition. Call your rep, call you senator, talk to your friends, neighbors, the guy at the corner store..... let it be know that you oppose this.
- mark, hooksett

Thank God a few people in Concord still have a little common sense !

Next: Kill the seatbelt bill and the increase in gas tax !!!!
- Gus, Manchester

One question :: what do I do with all the dresses I bought?
- tom, manchester,nh

It amazes me that members of our Senate Judiciary Committee are constantly dictating to the lower common denominators of our society. Likewise, it’s disgusting that such inordinate amounts of time and money are spent in solidifying “situational ethics” for those who don’t hold themselves to a higher civil/moral standard. Just another sad indicator in the slippery-slope of our country’s moral demise.
- Tim, Manchester

The Democrats suddenly realized that there is an election next year, and these things would drag them down, pun intended. The voters need to remember that even if they killed these bills, it was the Democrats, not the Republicans who, in their hearts believe in this crap, and it is only the diligence of the UL that shined enough light on it to convince the Democrats to cut their losses. They'll try again, if the voters give them the chance.
- mo, derry

Mr Lasky your wrong, we are a Christian Nation. Now that we know exactly where you stand on moral issues, next election you may find yourself on the outside looking in.

Let's do away with all this PC, Liberal, hogwash, restore our state to it's original intent, and become a National example of what our country was founded on.

I suggest for all those that don't like it, we have several Interstate Highways leading out of NEW HAMPSHIRE!
- Joan, Manchester

Finally, elected officials with common sense. The civil union issue has all the same rights as a married couple. Marriage is a sacrament between a man & woman & has always been, no matter what religion or non-religion.

I still can't wait for the next election because I will make it a priority on not voting for incumbents. I want them all out. "Time for Change" sound familiar? I don't care what party they are, I am voting for the best common sense reasonable candidate with good values that we have always known.

Let's take back our State.....
- Dave, Manchester

I think it is sad that we are so narrow minded that this bill was dubbed the "bathroom bill" by so many. This bill was intended to protect these individuals from discrimination. And, marriage is classified as a union between a man and a woman by whom exactly? Marriage should be considered a union of ANY two people who love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Who are we to say who should be allowed to marry? I think heterosexuals are making a mockery of the institution with the divorce rate that we have in this country. Let's act like the LIVE FREE OR DIE state folks. To each his own...
- Jessica, Pembroke, NH

We have far too many state reps-somewhere near 400. Instead of actually doing something we have a bunch of people playing a power game. We need to limit it to 1 state rep for every 50,000 people. Maybe then we can get something done!
- Mike, Bedford

Thank God! Now maybe they can work on fixing some problems that the other 99% of New Hampshire cares about.
- charles, kenison

Tired and Broke,

I do agree that this bill is a waste of time, but not that we all have civil rights. Your name says you have experianced the states family courts, but your civil rights statement doesn't
- Dave, Ashland

I don't know how you did it but congratulations are in order. A Democratic majority acting like conservative Republicans. I'd rather go back to having Republicans who at least told the truth about that for which they stood. The crowning achievement of moral repugnance.
- Robert, Deerfield

COMMON SENSE-AT LAST. How much money was WASTED to get here!
- Kim, Manchester

Thank you Senators! As has been stated here before, this issue is a simple one to decide. If the plumbing is on the outside, use the mens room. If it's on the inside, then use the womens room. Issue resolved, now let us get back to State spending!
- Thomas Thorpe, Portsmouth, NH

Thanks gOD! I am go grateful that the people of NH were duped into making a civil rights issue about bathrooms! Kudos, Republicans! Kudos sheep!
- Dorothy, Concord

Finally, this state has its head screwed on frontward instead of backward.
- Ann Hebert, Dover, NH

T&B you are correct. Enough of wasting our time and dollars on this nonsense. Senator Letourneau is right the Civil Unions addressed the legal issues for same sex couples. Mz Lasky name the different forms of Marriage? Just how many different forms are there? Once you make special laws for special groups of people civil and equal rights no longer exist.
- Michael King, Epping

Thank Heavens! I think it is time that all of us voters step back and take a hard look at these moonbats we kept electing to be our State Reps. Nearly all of them seem supremely uneducated and down right goofy. I know there is no honor serving as a State Rep. and many of us make fun of them for being a bunch of Peter Leonards, but we must pay attention and start getting involved because this is the junk we will have to face for the forseeable future.
- John L., Manchester

Finally some panel still has some common since. The harder these groups are trying to move into the mainstream and fight for inclusion the more I want to exclude them.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

Finally, some common sense! I keep hearing from advocates that we would be "surprised" to know how many we share the bathroom with now. Great, then this legislation is a waste of time and my tax dollars. We all have civil rights and if someone treats us in a discriminatory manner they can be punished and are. This group os no more special than the rest of us. I would like to see a law protecting fat chicks from ridicule. It is the same thing. most transgendered that we read about being attacked in the news has been attacked because they have deceived a member of the opposite sex about their gender. If you play with fire you can get burned. I understand that gender identity is a legitimate problem, but you have to help yourself to. if you do not behave/present yourself in a respectful way, you are generally left alone. of course there will always be a few halfwits out there that target people they consider different, but we are going to have to pass an awful lot of bills to protect everyone from all the perceived discrimination in society.
- Tired & Broke, Concord