NH Legislature to Vote on Amended Marriage Bill Wednesday

New Hampshire's Legislature is expected to vote Wednesday on an amendment Gov. John Lynch says he must have to sign gay marriage into law. It is expected to pass.

Lynch said last week he won't sign gay marriage unless legislators adopt language to better protect churches and their employees against lawsuits if their beliefs preclude them from marrying gays.

Democratic leaders are working to add the language to a bill addressing unrelated marriage issues. The Senate would act first, then the House. If it passes, Lynch says he will sign three bills legalizing gay marriage effective Jan. 1. New Hampshire would become the sixth state to allow gays to marry.

For further explanation of the added language, go to BlueHampshire where Rep. Jim Splaine has written a post explaining it.