Source:
Nashua TelegraphPublished: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
CONCORD - The State Senate embraced the latest compromise legalizing same-sex marriage today but the real test lies in the House of Representatives later today.
Plymouth Democratic Sen. Beth Reynolds said the final change should assure religious leaders that they may legally discriminate against same-sex marriage if it violates their beliefs.
"The changes augment, buttress and bolster the rights of religious freedom and they strike the appropriate balance between two values that the people of New Hampshire support, equal rights for all and the right to religious freedom,’’ Reynolds said
Read more:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090603/NEWSBLOG/906039919/-1/XML15
If I understand correctly, the rightwing attempted to derail this earlier, by claiming that churches would be forced to marry gay couples if the original bill passed. Such strange and irrational claims seem to be common in these fights. NH apparently attacked the claim directly, by changing the bill that passed last month to explicitly clarify that no church would be forced to marry anyoneSenate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill Amendment
Supporters, Opponents Rally On Same-Sex Marriage
POSTED: 10:34 am EDT June 3, 2009
UPDATED: 12:25 pm EDT June 3, 2009
CONCORD, N.H. -- ... The Senate on Wednesday approved a compromise that strengthened the language involving legal protections for religious institutions and related agencies. The vote was 14-10 along party lines. The amendment now goes to the House. While the measure is just an amendment, the fate of same-sex marriage in New Hampshire hangs in the balance. Two weeks ago, House members defeated the bill by a margin of two votes. The language in the amendment is crucial, as Gov. John Lynch has stated that he will veto the same-sex marriage bill if it does not include strengthened protections for religious institutions ...
http://www.wmur.com/politics/19644417/detail.htmlHouse to vote today on revised same-sex marriage plan
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief
... By a vote of 14-10 the Senate passed an amended bill, the third piece of what has become a gay marriage package. The bill, HB 73 (text), is an add-on to the gay marriage bill itself, HB 436 (text), and to HB 310 (text), which made technical changes to the main bill. HB 73 makes more clear the rights of religious organizations and their employees to refuse to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies or celebrations. The bill now heads to the House, where votes have been close throughout the year ...
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=House+to+vote+today+on+revised+same-sex+marriage+plan&articleId=ac4816e1-7ac9-4694-b89c-b6174c8b6a87Earlier DU threads:
N.H. lawmakers reject gay-marriage bill
Wed May-20-09 08:19 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=3886119Governor will sign gay marriage bill in NH if changes are made
Thu May-14-09 07:42 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=3877490