The courts here are quite serious about protecting all persons from violence. We have no trouble obtaining restraining orders if we meet the legal requirements. The Chief Judge of our probate court system intends to hold a conference this fall for all probate court judges to sensitize them to gay and lesbian relationships and issues. In what has to be record time, New Hampshire adopted an anti-discrimination law the third year after it was introduced into the legislature. This law prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing.
Perpetrators can be subject to both substantial civil fines and criminal prosecution.
And speaking of criminals, our sodomy law was repealed while Richard Nixon was still President. This year, New Hampshire repealed its ban preventing gays and lesbians from adopting and providing foster care. Our courts do not recognize sexual orientation as relevant to the awarding of custody to one parent or the other. Our Supreme Court has even said it is unconstitutional to outlaw gays or lesbians from being daycare providers. I do not believe the enactment of these laws to be flukes or attributable to just plain good luck.