Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion, says he and his male partner plan to affirm their relationship under a new law on civil unions enacted in the state of New Hampshire.

“My partner and I look forward to taking full advantage of the new law,” Bishop Robinson said following a vote by the New Hampshire state senate approving a civil unions’ bill. New Hampshire’s governor, John Lynch, has said he will sign the legislation, which provides civil recognition of same-sex and unmarried couples.  

In New Hampshire, also Bishop Robinson’s diocese, the new legislation stops short of being state-recognized marriage. “I think this is a huge leap forward, but it is not full equality,” he said, adding that same-sex couples should have protected legal rights throughout the United States.