Ending discrimination in New Hampshire in 2009

HB436

The Government of the State of New Hampshire discriminates and segregates tens of thousands of gay and lesbian citizens.

Civil Unions are a legal status created solely for gay/lesbian couples. There are significant inequities in the way the law treats marriages and civil unions.

New Hampshire Law

A couple in a civil union is not assured that they will receive families health care benefit's from their employer. When they do receive coverage for their families it is attributed as income toward their income tax's. A couple in a civil union that works for the State of New Hampshire must pay income tax on amounts up $700 per pay period or $1,500 a month. A married couple pays nothing.

In New Hampshire a couple in a civil union are not considered spouses in regards to the following programs:  Healthy Kids Gold or Silver, Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Nursing Facility assistance, Home and community-Based Care, and Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Care, Food Stamp Program, Medicaid,. 

Federal Law 

There are 1,138 federal law's that deal with the benefits and protections linked to marriage (including Social Security) that civil unions do not confer. While federal law must be challenged for gay/lesbian couples to access these rights, with civil unions no challenge is possible.

Rights Stop at the State Line

Marriages are respected from state to state, not so with civil unions. Gay/lesbian couples are unable to move or travel and be assured their relationships are protected.