Will Be Sixth State To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
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At 2:15 this afternoon, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch announced that he will sign his state’s gay marriage bill, making New Hampshire the sixth state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage. However, he wants the Legislature to make additional changes, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. Those changes are not yet available, but we will publish them as soon as they are. The much-anticipated news comes eight days after both Houses of the General Court passed the legislation approving marriage equality. Most recently, the House passed the bill by a 178-167 margin.Last month, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 13 – 11.
Assuming the Legislature agrees, the bill will become effective January 1, 2010.
Earlier, the Governor had stated,
“I still believe the fundamental issue is about providing the same rights and protections to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples. This was accomplished through the passage of the civil unions law two years ago. To achieve further real progress, the federal government would need to take action to recognize New Hampshire civil unions.â€
Last month, a poll conducted by New Hampshire’s Freedom to Marry Coalition found that 55% of voters in that state favor gay marriage, with only 39% opposed. Mo Baxley, Executive Director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry said that a majority of New Hampshire residents have been in favor of gay marriage since 2003.