Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community activists and their supporters rallied outside the New Hampshire statehouse June 3 as the state legislature voted on a series of bills that legalized same-sex marriage. The vote makes New Hampshire the sixth state to grant same-sex couples the same rights as straight couples.
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The legislation in New Hampshire faced many hurdles in recent months. Governor John Lynch threatened to veto any bill that did not provide special exemptions for religious groups and organizations and their employees. The exception, which became part of the law, is modeled after similar language in the Connecticut same-sex marriage bill, allows these groups to continue to discriminate by not participating in ceremonies.
Other discriminatory language that would allow people the “right” to refuse to provide marriage counseling and other services was rejected in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
No victory for an oppressed people comes through the actions of a few elite men and women in the legislature. The hard-won victories in New Hampshire and other states have only happened because of broad and militant action in the streets and on the job.
The state is not a benevolent entity that will grant rights if asked nicely. Rights must be won by the people. Recent setbacks and victories highlight the need to raise the level of organizing and struggle.
When the California Supreme Court issued its bigoted ruling on May 26 that upheld Proposition 8, large street marches broke out in San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities in California and across the country. A new generation of young and militant activists is building an energetic mass movement for LGBT equality.
The passage of the New Hampshire law is another important victory in the LGBT civil rights movement. In order to defend all gains and win full equality, the movement must seize on all opportunities to strengthen the struggle in the streets.
