NH to OK Civil Unions

With the stroke of a pen rather than a protracted legal battle, New Hampshire will become the fourth state to allow same-sex civil unions. Gov. John Lynch, who had not previously taken a position on the issue, said today that he will sign the legislation after the state senate votes next week.

Lynch, a Democrat who opposes same-sex marriage, said he supports the bill because "this prevents discrimination." The law-—one indicator of the political sea change under way in New Hampshire, which has Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers for the first time in over a century—akes effect next year. (More Civil unions stories.)