WASHINGTON — Last week, the National Organization for Marriage endorsed a civil unions bill in New Hampshire, a stark departure from its documented record of opposing any type of legal relationship for same-sex couples. In a press release, NOM supports a bill sponsored by Rep. David Bates (R- Windham) that calls for instituting civil unions. A vote on the bill is expected this week.
"This is complete and total policy reversal coming from one of the nation's most virulently anti-gay organizations," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "It smells like a Mitt Romney-style flip flop for short term gain. NOM's phoniness and opportunism never cease to amaze."
On March 12, NOM sent out a press release urging "the New Hampshire legislature to pass HB 437, compromise legislation to restore civil unions for same-sex couples…"
In 2005, NOM's president, Brian Brown, told the Associated Press it was a "dark day" when Connecticut passed civil unions legislation. In 2011, the organization opposed civil unions in Illinois, calling it a "direct threat" to marriage. Also last year Christopher Plante, a NOM executive, told the New York Times after the Rhode Island state senate approved a civil unions bill that it was "a disappointing and dangerous day."
NOM continues its push to end marriage equality in New Hampshire.
"Washington, D.C.-based NOM is out of step with New Hampshire values," added Solmonese. "Strong majorities of Granite Staters continue to oppose repeal of the state's popular marriage law enacted more than two years ago. And watering down a marriage is hardly a 'compromise.'"
