Tuesday, July 1, 2008 is the six-month anniversary of Civil Unions in New Hampshire. Since then over 400 same-sex couples have had the ceremony which is an indication of how important this new law turned out to be.
A reporter from the Concord Monitor came to the house this past week to interview us. Kay and I had a Civil Union back in February and the reporter's questions were all about any ways the CU might have changed our lives. First of all, we expressed the almost immediate feeling of validation as a same-sex couple, in some subliminal fashion we found ourselves holding our heads up higher, sensing a more equal status with the rest of our community and experiencing the freedom to hug each other if we had a sudden emotional high.
These were important steps forward for us at our ages even though we've been together for 28 years. It's such a revolutionary time for folks from our generation who spent so many years playing a role and keeping a foot in two worlds - Gay and Straight.
From a legal standpoint, the CU has not had an impact so far although we carry small laminated copies of our CU certificates in our wallets just in case we're challenged anywhere.
We've done everything we can to be recognized as a couple. We had a Union Blessing Ceremony in 2006 in the sanctuary of our church and now the Civil Union. We hope and pray at some point down the road we'll be entitled to Federal benefits such as inheriting the Social Security benefits of a deceased partner. But for now, we feel extremely blessed.
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2 comments:
Congratulations! from your sisters in Northern NH! My partner (53) and I (50) of 30 years celebrated our anniversary this June via a Civil Union Ceremony. Finally in our lifetime we're legal! We began living together in June 78' We had a commitment ceremony back then. We were terrified that violence would occur if we were to be found out. My partner was in the military which made us live underground even more. We have survived discrimination, fear, violence, family loss, quality of life issues, loss of civil rights......
I have admired the both of you and your work for sometime now. I appreciate all that you folks are doing. I hope that someday when my partner and I turn 80 years old and are committed for 60, we can look in each others eyes just as lovingly as yourself and partner do. Loyalty
Best wishes.......
Hi-
Many thanks for your great message. We have had wonderful feedback within our community at Heritage Heights. Hope you will come visit us in Concord.
Kay & Mary Lou
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