N.H. Couples to
Celebrate New Civil Unions Law With January 1 Ceremony

Same-sex couples plan to celebrate New Hampshire's new civil unions law by holding a group ceremony the minute the law takes effect January 1, organizers said Wednesday.

Democratic state representative Gail Morrison and Jen Major said the event is to take place just after midnight on the statehouse steps. Both are former board members of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition and said they plan to get civil unions with their own partners that night.

''My partner and I have been talking about wanting to do it the minute it was possible, and where else do you celebrate those state accomplishments?'' said Morrison. ''It's a combination of very private dedication to one another, but within the context of a historic state event, so the statehouse steps seemed absolutely the perfect place to be.''

The two said couples who previously obtained licenses from town and city clerks and want to participate can sign up beginning at 11 p.m. on December 31.

''It's the time to get together and celebrate our small victory,'' Major said.

State vital records officials are estimating 3,500 to 4,000 couples will get civil unions in 2008. That's roughly double the 1,704 unions performed in Vermont in 2000, the first year they were offered.

The legislature passed a civil unions bill this year allowing same-gender couples to enter civil unions and have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Gov. John Lynch signed the bill in May. (Beverly Wang, AP)