New Hampshire Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill 13-11!

New Hampshire Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill 13-11!

SEE CALL TO ACTION BELOW!

UPDATE: New reports coming in that it must now go back to the House where it originally passed since it was amended in the Senate. The Senate version of the bill made minor changes to remove gender-specific language, specified that marriage was only between two people, and those entering marriage must be at least 18. The House must now vote and approve the amended version and is likely to pass sometime next week.

The Concord Monitor identified other details of the bill:

"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 bill, after being approved by the House, must then go to New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch for signing. He has remain mute on the subject of veto but in the past has stated personal opposition.

ACTION: Contact the governor and tell him to sign the marriage equality bill! We need to show our support NOW!

Office of the Governor
State House
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301

(603)271-2121
(603)271-7680 (fax)
Email