Kathy Sullivan: Marriage Equality Right for NH
The Union Leader
May 18, 2009
 

There was a front-page story in the Cape Cod Times last week about the impact of same-gender marriage in Massachusetts. There were two facts that particularly interested me. According to a study by the Williams Institute, an estimated $111 million has been added to the Massachusetts economy due to spending on facilities, caterers, flowers and other wedding-related services. Moreover, in Provincetown, there has been a surge in weddings between opposite sexes as well. The story stated, "As word has spread that marriage services are readily available, the town has become more attractive to opposite-sex couples."

So much for the argument that marriage equality undermines "traditional" marriage. Op-Ed Logo Click for Editorials & Op-Eds

And that $111 million figure was a bit of an eye-popper. New Hampshire's hospitality industry could really benefit from that kind of increase in business.

If someone had told me a year ago that I would be interested in stories about marriage equality and the economic benefits, I would have been surprised. If anything, marriage equality had the potential to be a political headache. As someone who is known to be supportive of elected Democrats almost to a fault, I have always tried to stay away from getting out front on policy issues that some elected Democrats might struggle with or that potentially could hurt them at the ballot box. So I initially questioned the idea of anyone introducing an equality bill only two years after civil unions had passed. Wouldn't it be better to give New Hampshire residents a few more years to see that providing legal recognition to same-gender couples would not undermine "traditional" marriage or cause the sky to fall in on us?

But I have these two friends, James and Ron. About 10 years ago, they were united in a commitment ceremony at a church in New York. It was a traditional ceremony, with Bible readings and music. My friend Jeannie cried, as she always does at weddings. It was a happy day, seeing our friends united. For all intents and purposes, they were married -- except that they were not, not in the eyes of the state. As the years have gone by, they acquired a dog, moved to Vermont, bought property, became involved in local community activities and now have a recognized civil union. They are as stable a taxpaying couple as any couple I know. More importantly, they are as kind and as good-hearted as anyone could be. It makes no sense to me that they cannot be married, especially when I compare their relationship to other "traditional" relationships.

Not supporting marriage equality was not an option for me. At the same time, I know good people whose religious beliefs do not allow them to support marriage equality. Plus, freedom of religion has been a bedrock principle of our democracy since its founding.

That is why I now also support the language proposed last week by Gov. John Lynch, which balances both the need for equality with religious freedom. It will permit committed couples to have recognition by the state, while providing specific protection for those religious organizations that cannot recognize specific types of marriage. Certain religions already discriminate against opposite-gender marriage in the case of interfaith marriages or remarriages of divorced individuals, and the state does not penalize them.

Just as there needs to be room in our state for marriage equality, there has to be room for individuals to practice their religions without interference from the state.

I'm proud of Gov. Lynch's efforts on this issue. It has not been an easy time for him; he would rather be dealing with the budget, jump-starting our economy and working on job creation. But he has listened to the debate and paid attention to the voices from both sides. He has done what a governor should do -- put aside his own personal feelings to look at the bigger picture of how to accommodate the needs of New Hampshire's citizens who are affected by this issue.

This is why Gov. Lynch has been, and remains, so popular. He always has navigated his way through rocky shoals with one goal in mind: What is in the best interest of New Hampshire, not what is in the best interest of any one group or special interest. I hope our Legislature will do the same thing and pass the amendment language.

And maybe we will pick up some of that wedding business from Massachusetts.

Kathy Sullivan, a Manchester attorney, is former chairman of the state Democratic Party.