New Hampshire same-sex marriage bill passes 13-11

[t0dd]

From Concord Monitor..

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090429/BREAK/904290299/1030

The New Hampshire Senate voted, 13-11, today to allow adult same-sex couples to marry, approving an amended version of a House-passed bill after a vote to kill the legislation altogether failed by the same margin.

The bill passed by the Senate recognizes a distinction between civil and religious marriages and allows religious denominations to decide whether they will conduct religious marriages for gay or lesbian couples. Civil marriages would be available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples under the law. "This bill recognizes the sanctity of religious marriage and the diversity of religious beliefs about marriage while still providing equal access to civil marriage to all New Hampshire citizens," said Sen. Maggie Hassan, an Exeter Democrat.

The legislation cannot advance to the governor for his signature or veto unless both houses approve the same version.

[valerief]

1. Great! Looks like in the USA marriage isn't just for "opposites" anymore. nt

[graywarrior]

2. That just amazes me!

Awesome. Glad I made that call yesterday....makes me feel part of it.

[ccharles000]

3. yay

[closeupready]

4. So, in plain language, does this mean New Hampshire has gay marriage now?

??

[Maven]

5. No, not yet.

The House has to vote on this bill again since it was altered by the Senate. Almost certain that will happen because the house already approved the first marriage bill.

Then it goes to the Gov who is "personally against" same-sex marriage but hasn't said whether or not he'll veto.

[closeupready]

6. Thanks.

n/t

[SoxFan]

8. Two more steps

Since the senate version differs slightly from the House-passed version, there will be a Committee of Conference to agree on a final version. The bill then goes back to the originationg body (the House) for a final vote, then, if it passes, to the Senate.

The interesting part is the governor. John Lynch is a Democrat (sort of), but he is obsessed with his approval rating and deathly afraid of controversy. In the past he has said that he believes that civil unions are sufficient and that he opposed gay marriage.

My hunch? Lynch punts and allows the bill to become law without his signature, which is what happens if a bill is neither signed nor vetoed within a specific time frame.


Hope this helps!

SoxFan
Your Friendly Neighborhood Former NH Legislator

[Maven]

10. Thanks for a more detailed and informed answer.

:hi:

[elshiva]

14. Thank you!

:hug:

[Zuiderelle]

7. Love the timing on all this.

Like a snowball.

[sundog]

9. great news!

:party:

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. Yeah! Keep going NH, almost there!

[Bluebear]

12. Wow. Two more steps and I can get hitched :)

[Creideiki]

13. Churches already decide who to marry

My older brother had to convert to Catholicism to get married at the church his wedding took place in. My younger brother had to be approved as a good Missouri Synod Lutheran to get married at the church his wedding took place in. I have friends that are allowed to marry straight people that would be happy to officiate at my wedding. There's never been anything that forces a church to marry people when the clergymember objects.

[Jim Lane]

15. True, but it's a good idea to spell this out in the legislation

It takes away one idiotic RW talking point.

[nichomachus]

16. Exactly

In CA, the churches told the lie that they would be sued or shut down or ministers could be arrested for refusing to marry gay people. This is why so many church members voted for Prop H8.

[bluedawg12]

17. Very hopeful good news! n/t