News
Wire Story

Sex: Marriage Laws Embroil Legislatures

New Englanders push for domestic-partner benefits

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 276-88 to reject a bill that would have blocked homosexual couples from claiming a right to domestic-partner benefits. Those voting against the measure in late March called it unnecessary since New Hampshire already counts itself among the 32 states defining marriage as a bond between one man and one woman.

Supporters of the failed proposal say a legal loophole remains open for the New Hampshire Supreme Court to mandate equal partner benefits for same-sex couples, as the high court of Vermont did in 1999. That, says Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, R-Manchester, would undermine the special status that traditional marriage holds in society.

The bill “didn’t work, but we don’t need to quit,” Gonzalez said. “The great majority of people in my district and in New Hampshire don’t want [such] civil unions.”

Last year, in response to a state Supreme Court ruling, Vermont legalized civil unions as a vehicle to extend domestic-partner benefits to couples of the same sex. Since then, redoubled efforts to protect the uniqueness of traditional marriage have gone nowhere in various state legislatures.

Connecticut might follow Vermont’s example. A bill to legalize same-sex civil unions is working its way through the committee process and could come to the Senate floor for a vote.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

See our Sexuality and Gender area for more on domestic partner benefits and other homosexuality-related issues.

Also in this issue

Does God Know Your Next Move? Christopher A. Hall and John Sanders debate openness theology.

Cover Story

Does God Know Your Next Move?

Taxes Financial Warfare Club Under Legal Cloud

Quotations to Stir Mind and Heart

It's Called Junk Food for a Reason

Andy Griffith Is My Copilot

The Back Page | Philip Yancey: Replenishing the Inner Pastor

Armed Services: Navy Bias Charged

Black Methodists Criticize Race Overture

Ministry: New England Evangelicals Innovate and Grow

"Pornography: Libraries, ACLU Resist Internet Filtering"

Briefs: North America

"Investing: $158,000 Assessment Stirs Pastor's Wrath"

Civil Reactions | Stephen L. Carter: And the Word Turned Secular

Law: Fetal Harm Bill Moves to Senate

Mexico: A Peacemaker in Power

Briefs: The World

Religious Freedom Delegation Gets Cold Shoulder

Latin America: Pope Urges New Effort Against Sects

Pakistan: Stolen Daughter

Pakistan: Christian Principal Accused of Blasphemy

Awakening Liturgies

Cultural Savvy

Cathartic Prayers

Debt Relief Pledged

Wire Story

Sudan: Freedom Panel Alleges Genocide

Does God Know Your Next Move?

Does God Know Your Next Move?

Does God Know Your Next Move?

Does God Know Your Next Move?

Watchman on the Walls

Two Schools of Thought

When Business Aims for Miracles

How to Spell Debt Relief

Private Debt: The Final Frontier

From Lay Pastor to President

A Real Survivor

Letters

A Criminal Proposal

Invalidating Valedictorians

Which Miracles Are Real?

Readers' Forum: What Are We For?

Andy Crouch: Generation Misinformation

View issue

Our Latest

News

Florida’s Abortion Amendment Becomes the First to Fail Since Roe’s Reversal

On election night, pro-lifers cheered the news that a 6-week ban enacted under Gov. Ron DeSantis will get to stay.

News

Conservative Anglicans Call for Archbishop to Repent Over Same-Sex Relationships Stance

As the issue continues to divide the Church of England, Justin Welby spoke on a popular podcast about how his views have “evolved.”

Go Slow and Repair Things

We’re facing huge problems in our culture—problems an election alone can’t solve. But by God’s grace, we can do the small, daily work of repair.

In a Polarized World, but Not of It 

On Election Day and beyond, conservative and liberal Christians can better understand each other and be ministers of reconciliation. 

Gen Z Is Turning Online for Spiritual Guidance

Where Ya From?

Navigating Cultural Identity with Danielle Marck

Danielle Marck shares the experiences that pivoted the direction of her life toward her callings from God.

News

Charlie Kirk Aims to Expand Turning Point USA to Evangelical Campuses

But not all Christian campuses have embraced the conservative group.

News

Sarah Jakes Roberts Evolves T. D. Jakes’s Women’s Conference

At a record-setting event this fall, 40,000 followers listened to her preach about spiritual breakthrough and surrender.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube