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February 28. 2013 6:46PM
CONCORD – New Hampshire has joined with more than a dozen other states challenging California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
Gov. Maggie Hassan and Attorney General Michael Delaney announced Thursday the state has signed on to two “amicus” briefs they said are “defending the right to civil marriage for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.”
Earlier this week, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported a group of New Hampshire Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, had signed on to an amicus brief challenging the two measures.
“Throughout our history, every time we have sought to include all people in the life of our democracy, we have grown stronger,” Hassan said. “I’m proud that New Hampshire has led the way in ensuring marriage equality for all of our citizens, because encouraging strong marriages for loving couples strengthens families and communities.”
Hassan said the states “are urging the Supreme Court to strike down these discriminatory measures because all New Hampshire married couples should receive fair and equal treatment from the federal government.”
A statement from the governor’s office said that although New Hampshire legally recognizes their marriages, same-sex couples continue to be discriminated against by the federal government.
“For example, same-sex spouses on a family health plan have to pay taxes on the coverage, while other married couples do not. Same sex couples cannot file their taxes jointly. Nor can they collect survivor benefits,” the statement said.
Hassan called it “a fairness and civil rights issue, but it is also an economic issue for our state, our businesses and our families.”
The briefs have been filed in two cases, Windsor v. United States, which challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriages.
Delaney said, “Federal laws have for many years deferred to states on the issue of marriage. In order to protect New Hampshire’s law and ensure the equality of New Hampshire’s citizens we join other states on both amicus briefs.
“DOMA departs from tradition by seeking to define domestic relations through federal law, and compels New Hampshire to discriminate among our own lawfully married couples. New Hampshire has a compelling interest in ensuring we can protect the rights the Legislature has provided to our citizens. In addition, we urge the Court to strike Proposition 8 down because all Americans have a right to fair and equal treatment.”
Other states in the effort include Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.
NH joins with states fighting federal, California same-sex marriage bans
Gov. Maggie Hassan and Attorney General Michael Delaney announced Thursday the state has signed on to two “amicus” briefs they said are “defending the right to civil marriage for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.”
Earlier this week, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported a group of New Hampshire Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, had signed on to an amicus brief challenging the two measures.
“Throughout our history, every time we have sought to include all people in the life of our democracy, we have grown stronger,” Hassan said. “I’m proud that New Hampshire has led the way in ensuring marriage equality for all of our citizens, because encouraging strong marriages for loving couples strengthens families and communities.”
Hassan said the states “are urging the Supreme Court to strike down these discriminatory measures because all New Hampshire married couples should receive fair and equal treatment from the federal government.”
A statement from the governor’s office said that although New Hampshire legally recognizes their marriages, same-sex couples continue to be discriminated against by the federal government.
“For example, same-sex spouses on a family health plan have to pay taxes on the coverage, while other married couples do not. Same sex couples cannot file their taxes jointly. Nor can they collect survivor benefits,” the statement said.
Hassan called it “a fairness and civil rights issue, but it is also an economic issue for our state, our businesses and our families.”
The briefs have been filed in two cases, Windsor v. United States, which challenges the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and Hollingsworth v. Perry, which challenges California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriages.
Delaney said, “Federal laws have for many years deferred to states on the issue of marriage. In order to protect New Hampshire’s law and ensure the equality of New Hampshire’s citizens we join other states on both amicus briefs.
“DOMA departs from tradition by seeking to define domestic relations through federal law, and compels New Hampshire to discriminate among our own lawfully married couples. New Hampshire has a compelling interest in ensuring we can protect the rights the Legislature has provided to our citizens. In addition, we urge the Court to strike Proposition 8 down because all Americans have a right to fair and equal treatment.”
Other states in the effort include Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.
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