NH: Lawmaker Wants to Force Gays/Lesbians Back to Civil Unions Out of "Respect"

"Gay and lesbian couples have civil unions. A relationship uniquely and quite properly their own. A relationship that causes no confusion. A relationship that can be respected. Let's return their relationship to a rightful institution that is clearly understood, and that can be respected by all in its own right." - Rep. John Cebrowski, NH House floor, 2/17/2010

Rep. John Cebrowski (R-Bedford) was the first New Hampshire state representative to speak today on HB 1590, a bill that would have repealed New Hampshire's marriage equality law. The bill was defeated by a vote of 210 to 109. A whopping 40 Republicans voted to defeat the bill, but not Cerbrowski.

Cebrowski's speech was astonishing not just for the raw disrespect he showed to gays and lesbians (while repeatedly stating otherwise), but also for the talking points he used. Cebrokswi used the approach and language of Jim Crow: infantilization; patronization; segregation; debasement of allies. The only thing he forgot to say explicitly was "there goes the neighborhood". Truly, it was a textbook example of how the mindset behind racism and the mindset behind homophobia can be one in the same.

Full Story from Pam's House Blend
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Hampshire.
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