Welcome to the NEW New Hampshire. PART ONE

LHS GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE INSPIRED BY RECEPTION AT STATEHOUSE

by Ron Tunning
The Laconia Daily Sun
Saturday, April 14, 2007

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CONCORD — “It was a blast,” said Jon Arsenault.

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“It was so awesome,” contributed Steven Gonzalez.

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“It was so much more interesting and informative than we’d ever expected,” added Jessie Dawson.

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Those were only some of the remarks overheard from a group of Laconia High School students who spent Tuesday at the N.H. State House as the official guests of Reps. Judie Reever and Beth Arsenault.

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The contingent, which included 18 students and three adults, were greeted upon their arrival by the two Laconia House members in the Capitol’s “Hall of Flags” before being led on a tour of the historic building by Virginia Drew, the Director of the NH General Court Visitors Center while the two representatives hurried off for a Democratic caucus being held prior to the opening of the day’s legislative session.

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Following a visit to the Senate Chamber and a walk along the building’s corridors during which Drew offered a running dialogue on the history of the building and its many historic artifacts, the group was escorted to the gallery overlooking Representative Hall just as the legislative session was set to commence.

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As House protocol demands, the students, members of the LHS Gay/Straight United, were welcomed by House members by a standing round of applause. “We were made to feel so welcome,” said a surprised Dawson, who serves with Gonzalez as co-president of the organization. “We really weren’t certain how we’d be received.”

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The timing of the group’s visit could not have been more fitting. Just last week the N.H. House overwhelmingly approved legislation legalizing civil unions for same-sex partners, with it anticipated that the Senate will follow suit and send the legislation to Governor John Lynch for his signature.

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“We’re watching history being made in New Hampshire,” observed Gonzalez, a LHS senior who helped to form the Gay/Straight United earlier this school year to foster greater tolerance and understanding among homosexual and heterosexual students. “It’s just impossible to describe the impact of having the walls of discrimination removed.”

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Before the House could begin its deliberations on the budget, which topped its agenda for the day, the students were led from the gallery to a Senate meeting room where they were greeted by Senator Kathy Sgambati. After welcoming the students and thanking them for their interest in the workings of state government, Sen. Sgambati invited questions.

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“Where do you stand on civil unions,” Gonzalez wasted no time in inquiring.

The senator assured the group that she supported civil unions as well as legislation that protects the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt children and serve as foster parents. Her years of experience at the NH Department of Health and Human Services, she recalled, which included supporting the well-being of families and children, had introduced her to many gays and lesbians who had proved to be outstanding parents. “And there are many heterosexuals who are not good parents,” she said, noting that sexual orientation has nothing to do with parenting skills.

Being summoned to the Senate, Sgambati introduced the students to the state Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley before making her departure.

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Buckley, an openly gay man who served several terms in the N.H. House and helped pave the way for the Democratic takeover of the Senate last November, spoke openly of the challenges he faced as a young, gay adolescent growing up in Belmont. He was joined by Rep. Maureen “Mo” Baxley (D-Andover), who also serves as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, in encouraging the students to become and remain involved in the political process.

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“It was very powerful to hear Mr. Buckley’s story,” said Dawson, “and to realize that there are people in government who understand and share the challenges we face.”
“We just didn’t expect to meet people who are so openly gay and comfortable with it,” Gonzalez added. “That was so amazing.”

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A number of students indicated that the experience has motivated them to become engaged in the political process and to let their representatives know how much their support is appreciated.

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“And I know some of us are going to ask to serve as Senate pages,” Dawson said, referring to an invitation by Sen. Sgambati that they apply. “We’re anxious to participate.”