Lez Keep It Real

I’m back ladies. I arrived home yesterday from my skiing trip to New Hampshire with the harsh reality that I would have to go back to work the very next day. Yet, what happened on said trip was so wonderful that I didn’t mind so much. I’d go to work. And I’d go with a big, fat smile spread across my face.

You’re curious, aren’t you? You’re wondering what in the world could have possibly happened in New Hampshire of all places that would have me flying so high you might as well call me a kite?

Here’s a hint:

NH Civil Unions Proving Popular

(Concord, New Hampshire) In the two weeks that New Hampshire’s civil unions law has been in effect more than 100 same-sex couples have taken advantage of it.

The legislation went into effect on New Year’s Day and was marked by a mass ceremony for 37 couples on the plaza of the New Hampshire Statehouse. (story) Another 56 were united the same day in towns across the state. The additional unions have taken place since January 1.

Although the law went into effect on New Year’s Day couples could begin filling out applications on December 10. Since then 183 civil unions licenses have been issued. The licenses are valid for 90 days.

That would mean about half the couples who have applied for licenses have so far been united. LGBT activists in the state say many couples are waiting for the hoopla to die down and speculate many of those holding off on their ceremonies will be united on Valentine’s Day.

State records show that the vast majority of couples who applied for licenses are from New Hampshire, although they are available to couples from outside the state.

Gov. John Lynch signed the legislation last May (story) making New Hampshire the state fourth to grant civil unions after New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont. Neighboring Massachusetts in 2004 became the only state to allow gay marriage.

Couples entering civil unions will have the same state rights, responsibilities and obligations as married couples. But the federal Defense of Marriage Act bars them from any federal rights.

Same-sex unions from other states also would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed. ~ 365gay.com

No, I didn’t get married.

But … I did get “engaged.” Yep, I took the plunge. I asked my girlfriend to spend her life with me.

The truth is that I had been thinking about doing this for awhile now. We have been together for about three years, and both of us take commitment pretty seriously. We aren’t the kind of people who jump in to things just for fun. Some gay people have a ceremony or a civil union of some kind just because it’s available. Then three years down the road, the relationship falls apart.

I’m not doing this just because I can. I’m doing this because I believe I found someone to spend my life with, and because we want to protect ourselves as best as we can with the proper legal documentation. I know gay couples aren’t afforded the same rights as straight couples under civil unions, but for now they are close enough. We need those rights, in whatever capacity.

I hemmed and hawed for three months about when I was going to ask her, knowing that both she and I were in this for the long haul. I didn’t want to force it, but I knew I wanted to do it at her most favorite place in the world - on top of a ski hill. I waited for the moment to present itself, knowing that if it didn’t then it just wasn’t meant to happen at that particular time. Well, the perfect moment arose and I took full advantage of it.

And she said, yes.

We aren’t eloping to New Hampshire tomorrow, next week or even a month from now. Nope. We are going to take our time and make this as special and as meaningful as any straight couple would. Fall 0f 2009 it is. And since we both love the northeast, we are toying with Vermont or Massachusetts as wedding destinations.

Now that civil unions are legal in NH, we can consider that state as well.

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