House committee debates gay marriage bill
By Anne Saunders
CONCORD - The issue of same-sex marriage is not going away and the Legislature must act, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Mock said Tuesday.

"I don’t want Hazen Drive determining what the public policy of the state is when it comes to gay marriage," Mock said, referring to the address of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Mock supported blocking recognition of gay marriages performed in other states, but only for two years to give a commission time to develop laws allowing for civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in New Hampshire.

The bill was prompted by a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision giving gay couples the right to marry starting May 17.


~

Draft of domestic-partner ordinance circulated
Copy is available to public at City Clerk's office in City Hall
By Jack Mazurak
ONEONTA — A draft of a proposed domestic-partner ordinance was circulated at Tuesday's Oneonta Common Council meeting, but there was no discussion on it.

Third Ward Alderman Julie Carney, Intergovernmental Affairs Committee chairwoman, said there would not be a vote soon but it was important for people to see it.

"It's in line with the seven or eight other New York state municipalities that have ordinances in effect," she said.

In January, the IGA began work on a proposal that the city issue domestic partnership certificates to couples, heterosexual or homosexual, who cannot or choose not to marry.


~

Silent protest to call attention to issue of gay/lesbian rights
By Phyllis Sides
SOMERS - Several students at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will join their counterparts at colleges and universities around the country today in a day of silence to protest the discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of South Central Wisconsin about 7,800 students at more than 81 high schools and colleges in Wisconsin are expected to take part in the protest.

"We're having an `out and about week' with activities every day. And on Wednesday, 10 to 12 members of Rainbow Alliance won't be talking and we will be wearing T-shirts explaining what's going on," said Abraham Santiago, the group's secretary.



New Paltz considers 'marriage officers'
Town seeking to cut down police OT pay
By Larry Fisher-Hertz
Poughkeepsie Journal
NEW PALTZ -- Town officials say they have an idea to cut down on police costs triggered by public same-sex marriage ceremonies: ap-point people to perform the weddings in private.

''Under New York's Domestic Relations Law,'' Supervisor Donald Wilen said Tuesday, ''municipalities may appoint any number of marriage officers whose sole responsibility is to marry those who seek wedded bliss.''

Wilen said the town board would discuss the proposal at its meeting Thursday night.

He noted the town had been saddled with increasing police overtime costs since village Mayor Jason West and two Unitarian ministers began performing same-sex marriages in public parks earlier this year. The ceremonies have drawn supporters of same-sex couples, as well as an occasional handful of protesters.