NH’s Marriage Bill Still Being Debated

The state of New Hampshire is very close to becoming the 6th state to end marriage discrimination by legalizing same-sex marriages, however the state’s governor, John Lynch gave an ultimatum to the legislature stating the bill must include wording to prevent religious organizations from being held liable for choosing not to participate in same-sex marriages before he would sign the bill into law.

So back to the drawing board it went, and the bill was revised and approved by the state’s Senate.  Now it’s back in the House, but it’s going no where fast.

Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester) said the governor’s amendment would create discrimination in a bill intended to bring equal rights to people.  Vaillancourt stated:

“This bill has nothing to do with gay marriage. This bill is a homophobic bill put in by a governor who was backed into a corner, hoisted on his own petard. My job is not to get the governor out of his corner. My job is to do what’s best for society. It is not best to send a message across the country that we’re going to give gay marriage with lots of strings attached.”

Critics of the Governor’s demanded amendment have said that it reflects religious protections that are already guaranteed on the state and federal constitutions and that the bill would not protect other businesses that don’t want to participate in same-sex marriages.

Despite all the hullabaloo, some of the state’s lawmakers, like Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth), said he feels confident that the marriage equality bill will still make it to the governor’s desk this session.