Is New Hampshire — beacon of New England liberalism — about to become the thirty-first state with a gay marriage ban? And the third state to have gay marriage ripped away after becoming legal? State Rep. Dudley Dumaine certainly hopes so!
Of course, he’s tried this before — and this 2007 effort to amend the state’s Constitution failed. But Dumaine, a Republican, is persistent, and his new bill is among a whopping “>em>twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution.
You might remember Dumaine as the NH lawmaker who, having received an email in 2007 from a constituent complaining about a multi-state settlement with a mortgage lender, responded with a “fuck”-laced email. Yes, this is the guy who wants to uphold family values.
With the bill just being announced for the 2010 legislative session, it’s unclear how much support it has. But a Constitutional amendment would revoke the legislature’s passage of same-sex marriage, set to take effect Jan. 1, and the move would put New Hampshire on the same list as California and Maine, where legislators gave marriage the go-ahead only to see it eliminated months later. (Of course, only California actually let residents get married before halting things.)
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
In the meantime, we expect one emerging trend to continue: Absolute silence from Democrats and their parties and absolutely no assistance to assure the bill never advances. Oh, and an assist from the National Organization for Marriage, which despite claims of having “broken the bank,” appears to have cash on hand for New Jersey’s fight. And probably NH, too.
terrwill
Maggot (the cunt) Gallagher strikes again…….
Aaron
This is just so disheartening.
L.Single
Per wikipedia, this is how the New Hampshire constitution is amended:
Part II, Article 100 of the constitution provides for the following two methods of proposing amendments to the constitution:
[edit] General Court
A 3/5 vote of each house of the General Court is required to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the people at the next biennial November election. A 2/3 vote of the qualified voters participating in an election is required to adopt a new amendment.
[edit] Constitutional Convention
A majority vote of both houses of the General Court is required to place the following question on the ballot: “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?” If such question has not been submitted to the people in ten years, the Secretary of State is required by Pt. II, Art. 100 to place the question on the ballot. A majority of qualified voters participating in an election is required to convene a convention. At the next election the delegates are elected by the people, or earlier as provided by the General Court. A 3/5 vote of the number of delegates is required to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the people at the next biennial November election. A 2/3 vote of the qualified voters participating in an election is required to adopt a new amendment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_Constitution#Method_of_Amendment
Do we really expect 3/5 of the New Hampshire legislature to vote to ban same-sex marriage entirely after a majority voted to approve it a few months ago?
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
Lets turn those frowns upside down!
New Hampshire’s method for amending its Constitution is very very different than in California and Maine. NH requires Constitutional amendments be passed upon by each of its legislative houses by a 60% margin; then, during a general election, Amendments require popular vote of 66.66%.
NH’s House passed marriage equality by a final vote of 198-176; Senate vote passed 14-10. To forward a Constitutional amendment, 49 of the 198 representative who voted for marriage equality would have to switch sides; and 5 of the the supporting senators would likewise have to change their votes. NOM and MassResistance wasted a ton of money attempting to get the Massachusetts legislature to send an amendment to the people and failed.
And most importantly, unlike California and Maine, an amendment must pass a general election public vote with 66.66% plus 1 vote. No state in the union, nor nor any demographic (other than NOM members) shows anti-marriage support anywhere near those numbers. We have lost votes before, and will lose more, but not by the margins the NH requires.
So, go ahead, Maggot and friends, jump into NH! While we can’t sit on our hands, and work will need be done, the cause in NH will cost NOM/KofC/Catholic Church and their minions a lot of money for a loosing cause. Let them waste their money, show that they can’t win everywhere, and weaken their abilities.
Bruno
Even the homophobes in NH have said that this is “unlikely” to be successful. They’re doing it most likely to raise cash and look good to their redneck supporters.
Even Florida could only muster 62% on their amendment vote.
Republican
“Even Florida could only muster 62% on their amendment vote.”
I’m not sure that’s anything to be excited about. Amendment 2 banned gay marriage AND civil unions.
Flip
A few points:
Maine only repealed a same-sex marriage law. It did not pass a constitutional amendment. Same-sex marriage advocates can go back to the Legislature and the Governor and pass another marriage law in time. This happened with its anti-discrimination law. It took three tries, but Maine finally has one.
Florida passed its ban with only 61% of the vote, just 1% over the 60% threshold. I know that may sound trivial, but if activists had worked together as one group instead of being splintered, it could have been defeated by a simple majority (50% + 1) instead.
NH’s law could still be threatened by repeal. If the NH Senate and House were to change parties to Republican, and the Governor is sympathetic, the law could go south. That’s the strategy NOM is trying to do, instead of an amendment to its constitution.
Don’t be fooled by NOM’s so-called stupidity. In the short term they can still do damage, but in the long term, they will fail.
BradK
“Is New Hampshire — beacon of New England liberalism…”
Honey, NH is the beacon of New England LIBERTARIANISM, not liberalism. Big, big difference there.
Which isn’t to say that marriage equality (and civil rights in general) are not compatible with libertarian principles. One thing NH resents even more so than Maine is out-of-state interests trying to influence local politics. Once Maggie and her friends start showing their involvement, they’re likely to be tarred-and-feathered and rut out of town.
Live Freeze or Die, baby!
Raymond Buckley
This is a very weird post. And absolutely wrong. These attempts in NH are pathetic political stunts by some misfits in the House Republican minority caucus.
Any suggestion that I am not on top of these attempts (just like I have for 25 years) is an absolute lie and should be removed.
Raymond Buckley
Chairman
NH Democratic Party
Brian
Raymnond is a “top?”
Who knew?
Raymond Buckley
Brian, I ashamed to fight for your rights. Sadly it appears you are still in the 5th grade…grow up.
Jacob
Im sure there are more important issues that need to be resolved rather than taking away minority rights. Some people need to grow up and b more responsible. How is 2 homosexuals getting married effect anyone. There are far more important issues that need to be resolved or considered.
America…the land of the free??? Im sorry guys but that is a complete joke. You have your government to blame for that.
Ryan
Dude, no one believes you’re actually Raymond Buckley. If you are, you should be ashamed of yourself for getting involved in a flame war. At any rate, Queerty is being unnecessarily alarmist yet again. The same legislator that just approved gay marriage is not going to do an one eighty for no reason. Dumb post.
Warren
It’s not happening. This guys wasting everyone’s time.
Raymond Buckley
Perhaps someone should have a disclaimer on this site that this is not a serious site. My staff forwarded the link when the google alert for “NH Democrats” popped up with the incorrect original post.
I apologize for interrupting your “recess” boys.
Raymond Buckley
Chairman
NH Democratic Party
Aidan
Just to let you know, New Hampshire is in NO WAY a beacon of New England liberalism.
New Hampshire hadn’t elected a Democratic Senator since 1974 until last year when Jeanne Shaheen was elected to the Senate. Also, it has been a reliably Republican state overall.
New Hampshire is libertarian, and proud of it, but is most definitely not liberal.
Michael Ejercito
Legal recognition of same-sex “marriage” in Maine is very likely within the next five years.
Florida’s Amendment 2 can only be amended or repealed with at least sixty percent of the vote.