Marriage

In 1959, the state of Virginia convicted Mildred and Richard Loving for committing a felony, sentencing them to one year in jail. The trial judge, however, suspended the sentence on the condition that they stay out of Virginia for 25 years. What was their crime?  They had the audacity to marry the year before in D.C. and then return to their home state, which outlawed marital unions such as theirs. Mildred was black, and Richard was white. The couple took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Popular opinion was not on their side.  A 1958 Gallup Poll indicated that only 4% of Americans approved of marriage between blacks and whites. Indeed, black-white married couples endured insult and injury based on a common belief that such unions were unnatural and immoral. Nevertheless, the Court ruled unanimously (9-0) in 1967 (Loving v. Virginia) that state laws proscribing interracial marriage were unconstitutional. Found in this ruling is the following quote: The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men (and women- my addition).

New Hampshire, known for its tenacious commitment to personal liberty, embraced the spirit of this 1967 ruling when it became the sixth state of the union to legalize same-sex marriage. This decision reflects a country that has grown more accepting of civil rights for all. Currently, only a minority of Americans disapprove of interracial marriage. American approval of same-sex marriage is also on the rise.  According to Gallup, support for same-sex marriage increased from 27% in 1996 to 44% in 2010.  The Pew Research Center recently documents that a clear majority of young adults support same-sex marriage, portending greater acceptance in the future.

As the first colony to declare its independence well over 200 years ago, New Hampshire continues to be intolerant of oppressive laws and unnecessary government intrusion.  It is hard to imagine this state changing course and going down a path that curtails freedom.  Please contact your state representative and senator and let them know that everyone in New Hampshire deserves to live free and equal and that same-sex marriage should remain legal. Note that the views in this letter do not reflect the views of Keene State College.

M.  Therese Seibert, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology at KSC
Swanzey NH



Comments

[Rep Steve Vaillancourt]

Many on the right will say you have no right comparing gay marriage to interracial marriage, but I think you're right on in pointing to the Loving case. Society is capable of only so much change at a time. In the sixties, we were ready for Loving. Today, we're ready for gay marraige. As conservative George Will often says, young people don't understand what all the big fuss is about. That's an indciation of where society will be 20 years from now.

[FearlessLdr]

Why shouldn't gays and lesbians be allowed to marry? They deserve to be as miserable as the rest of us.

When they start suing each other for divorce; start fighting over the house, the car and everything else, including the family cat; they will look back with fond remembrance the days they couldn't marry.

To my friends in the Gay & Lesbian community: Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

[Jim Splaine]

Excellent commentary, Professor. I think your core message that should remain with all freedom-loving New Hampshire citizens is: "As the first colony to declare its independence well over 200 years ago, New Hampshire continues to be intolerant of oppressive laws and unnecessary government intrusion. It is hard to imagine this state changing course and going down a path that curtails freedom."

We should be proud that we adopted House Bill 436 two years ago the New Hampshire Way. We discussed it, held hearings on it, listened to the people, and the Legislature passed it -- it wasn't forced on us by any court. And now, almost 1,500 gay and lesbian couples -- our friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members -- have equality under state law to share their love and caring for one another. What a wonderful thing.

All of us who call New Hampshire "home" should be proud of our long history for freedom and individual liberty. Let's hope people in power can put politics and agendas aside and keep equality of marriage for all.

[Ed Naile]

And on to bisexual marriage.

So we don't discriminate like we are now.

[Jim Splaine]

lol Ed. No discrimination exists. Bisexuals can marry too -- one partner at a time, just like the rest of us -- gay or straight. That's equality.

[Odd Duck]

The government has no business recognizing anyone's marriage.

If you commit to share your life with another and they concur... government can say no????

If someone else marries a man, then a woman, then a tree, then a ham sandwich... I have to pay taxes to save all that paperwork for eternity????

[Ed Naile]

Jim:

So a bisexual can marry one person?

And give up their sex life?

Hope demanding of you.

Some civil rights champion you are.

I say bisexual can marry one of each sex, or one in transition, and lead a wholesome life as they were born to.

But a man can't marry two women, that would be bigomy.

So only bisexuals can marry one of each sex to be fair. And we know how important fair is.

[Jim Splaine]

Ed, I've figured you out. You really don't know what a "bisexual" is. A bisexual is someone of either sex who has a sexual interest in members of either sex. A bisexual is not someone who feels an urge to have sex with, or marry, more than one other person at a time, not any more than a person who is gay or straight.

So, under our current law, a straight man or woman can only marry one other person, and a gay man or woman can only marry one other person, and a bisexual can only marry one other person. Fair and equal as can be.

Now, if you're for bigomy, I'm certainly opposed to that, and New Hampshire law doesn't provide for that and never has.

[Richard Olson Jr.]

I never really understand why I need a license from the state to get married. A license is roughly defined as asking the government permission to do something. Looking back, My wife and I stood before and the guests at our wedding and made our vows. I fail to see how they are any less valid because the reverend signed a license.