Gay Anglican bishop plans civil union next year

New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson says, "We need to separate the civil rights from the religious rites."

By Brian Early

REUTERS, UK

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 10 (Reuters) - The openly gay Episcopal bishop at the center of the Anglican Church's global battle over homosexuality said on Thursday he hopes to enter into a civil union with his partner next year.

But New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson added that he wants to hold separate religious and legal ceremonies to set a precedent for how marriages and civil unions are performed in the United States.

"It won't be full equality until it is equal," added that he wants to hold separate religious and legal ceremonies to set a precedent for how marriages and civil unions are performed in the United States.

Next week, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is expected to sign a bill that allows civil unions for same-sex couples, making his state the fourth in the nation to do so. The law would go into effect on Jan 1.

"We need to separate the civil rights from the religious rites"

said Robinson, whose ordination in 2003 enraged conservative Anglicans and threatened to break up the church.

"It won't be full equality until it is equal"

He and his partner of more than 18 years, Mark Andrews, aim to hold two ceremonies around the middle of next year: a non-religious one where they become legal partners followed by a church service to give blessings to God for their relationship.

"Religious people and religious organizations who are not yet ready to offer the churches or the synagogues blessings on such unions, might be supportive of full civil rights for this country's gay and lesbian citizens," he told Reuters in an interview.

New Hampshire Approves Same-Sex Civil Unions

By Anthony Cuesta
247gay.com

New Hampshire lawmakers approved civil unions for same-sex couples Thursday, becoming the fourth state in the nation to extend legal rights to gay and lesbian partners.

“This legislation is a matter of conscience, fairness and of preventing discrimination,” said governor's spokesman Colin Manning, reports the Associated Press. “It is in keeping with New Hampshire's proud tradition of preventing discrimination.”

According to Reuters, the Democratic-controlled Senate voted 14-10 along party lines to give gay and lesbians nearly the same rights as married couples. The bill sailed through the House of Representatives on April 4, and Democratic Gov. John Lynch said last week he would sign it.

One of the state's best-known gay residents told the AP 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, reports the AP.

New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont already offer civil unions for gay couples. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004 became the only state to allow gay marriage.

N.H. governor says he’ll sign civil unions bill

Via AP/Boston Herald

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch told The Associated Press on Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire thus will become the fourth state to adopt civil unions and the first to do so without first having a court fight over denying gays the right to marry.
"I believe it is a matter of conscience, fairness and preventing discrimination," Lynch said in an interview.
Although Lynch had said previously he supports expanding health benefits to same-sex partners of state workers, he had declined to take a public position on civil unions. He came under fire from both sides for not weighing in _ especially after the surprise delay last week of the Senate vote on the House-passed bill.
Some legislators had worried the Democratic governor might part company on the bill with Democrats who control the House and Senate for the first time in more than a century.
He said he announced his position on the bill after extensive discussions with lawmakers, including most of the 24 state senators.
"I wanted to see that healthy debate happen in the Statehouse," he said...