| CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire is set to become the fourth state to offer civil unions for gay couples with legislation approved Thursday and sent to Gov. John Lynch, who has said he would sign it. SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS "This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing discrimination", said governor's spokesman Colin Manning. "It is in keeping with New Hampshire's proud tradition of preventing discrimination." Shortly after the Democratic-controlled Senate passed the bill 14-10 along party lines, one of the state's best-known gay residents told The Associated Press he would use it. "My partner and I look forward to taking full advantage of the new law", said Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, whose 2003 consecration shook up the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Union of which it is part. New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont already offer civil unions for gay couples. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004 became the only state to allow gay marriage. Unlike other states, there was no active court challenge to push New Hampshire to act on the issue. In fact, the success of civil unions was an about-face from two years earlier, when a study panel of lawmakers and community leaders recommended New Hampshire giving no meaningful consideration to extending legal recognition to gay couples. That panel had concluded that homosexuality was a choice, and it endorsed a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman. State lawmakers have defeated proposed constitutional bans on same-sex marriage two years in a row. Sponsors of the civil unions bill called it a door to marriage in all aspects but name. Opponents argued it would lead to the collapse of traditional values. "Let's just call it what it really is, no sugarcoating", said Republican Sen. Robert Letourneau. "This creates same-sex marriage. There is no right to marriage in either the New Hampshire Constitution or the federal Constitution." "We don't let blind people drive or felons vote, all for good and obvious reasons", he said. State Rep. Jim Splaine, who is openly gay, said time would change those attitudes. "As we continue to evolve this discussion, we'll see people not worried so much about the marriage word", he said. "This is an important difference. This is not marriage. This is civil union. This does nothing to impact anyone's marriage." Robinson, 59, whose partner of 18 years is state health administrator Mark Andrew, 53, said he looks forward to the day when gays will be able to marry. "I think this is a huge leap forward but it is not full equality until we have equality", he said of the civil union legislation. "We have come further in a short time than any civil rights movement in history." Though Anglican leaders have since asked the U.S. denomination to stop ordaining gay bishops and temporarily refrain from blessing same-sex unions, Robinson's sexual orientation has not been much of a lightning rod at home. The measure would take effect Jan. 1, and some couples were already planning. "My partner and I have already spoken to our minister and we will be having a civil union the instant it is possible to do so", said Democratic Rep. Gail Morrison. Washington, Maine, California, New York City and Washington D.C., recognize domestic partnerships. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer this week pledged to introduce gay marriage legislation in the next few weeks.
Associated Press writer Norma Love contributed to this story. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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