The new year brought a new era in New Hampshire.

Some of us ushered in 2010 — the start of a new year and a new decade — with noisemakers, bubbly champagne and hearty attempts to remember the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne.”

Some of us ushered in 2010 lounging on the couch watching the live coverage from Times Square and, later, LSU take on Penn State.

But some New Hampshire same-sex couples did not mark the start of the new year in typical fashion. With the arrival of the new year, the first same-sex couples legally married in the Granite State.

New Hampshire lawmakers passed marriage equality legislation in 2009, expanding upon rights already extended to same-sex couples through civil unions legislation in 2008. The marriage law took effect Jan. 1, making New Hampshire the fifth state to issue marriage licenses — legal marriage licenses — to same-sex couples.

By late December, about 40 couples had applied to their town clerks for licenses. Many more couples are expected to apply for licenses this year, and, in 2011, the more than 700 civil unions in the state will automatically be updated to marriages.

By Lisa Neff, columnist, 365gay.com
01.04.2010 8:31am EST

Images by Getty Images

The new year brought a new era in New Hampshire. Some of us ushered in 2010 — the start of a new year and a new decade — with noisemakers, bubbly champagne and hearty attempts to remember the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne.” Some of us ushered in 2010 lounging on the couch watching the [...]

Jose Maria di Bello, left, and Alex Freyre were married Monday in the state of Tierra del Fuego.

Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello

Buenos Aires, Argentina (CNN) — Less than one month after a Buenos Aires court derailed the marriage of Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello, the couple wed Monday at the southern tip of Argentina, making it the first same-sex marriage in Latin America.

“As a couple, we dreamed of marrying for a long time,” Freyre told the state-run Telam news agency.

Their marriage was hailed as a victory by gay rights groups in Argentina, though it was unknown whether the legality of their marriage would face any challenges.

After a legal battle earlier this year, a court in the capital, Buenos Aires, ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage was illegal and ordered the proper authorities to grant the couple a marriage license if they applied for one.

On the eve of their December 1 wedding, however, another court filed an injunction, putting the brakes on the nuptials.

In Argentina, the issue of same-sex marriage is decided on the local and state level.

So Freyre and di Bello went to the southernmost state of Tierra del Fuego, where a pro-gay marriage governor welcomed the event, Telam reported.

To read more, please go to http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/12/28/argentina.gay.marriage/

Photo from www.daylife.com

Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello Buenos Aires, Argentina (CNN) — Less than one month after a Buenos Aires court derailed the marriage of Alex Freyre and Jose Maria di Bello, the couple wed Monday at the southern tip of Argentina, making it the first same-sex marriage in Latin America. “As a couple, we [...]

The New York State Senate voted 24-38 on Dec 2 against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in the Empire State.

The long-delayed vote came on the heels of more than two hours of passionate and even emotional debate on the Senate floor.

“Provide me with the exact same rights as you have Madam President and each and every member of the New York State Senate has,” openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Manhattan,] who initially introduced the bill, said. “It would make me equal in every way to everyone else in this chamber.”

State Sen. Diane Savino [D-Staten Island] was among those who applauded Duane as she spoke in support of marriage for gays and lesbians.

“We have nothing to fear from Tom Duane and [his partner] Louis,” she said. “We have nothing to fear from [state Assemblymember] Danny O’Donnell and his partner. We have nothing to fear from love and commitment.”

State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson [D-Mount Vernon] spoke about her gay brother as she announced her support of the marriage bill. She also discussed those who continue to oppose nuptials for same-sex couples based on their religious convictions.

“Nobody elected me… to be the moral arbiter of their decisions,” Hassell-Thompson said. “They did ask me to provide leadership and the rights for all of the people I serve.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans] was more blunt. “What is wrong is not knowing what the Bible says and retreating to it,” he said.

From www.edgeboston.com

The New York State Senate voted 24-38 on Dec 2 against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in the Empire State. The long-delayed vote came on the heels of more than two hours of passionate and even emotional debate on the Senate floor. “Provide me with the exact same rights [...]