New Hampshire Same-sex marriage vote this Wednesday (contact these senators!)

[t0dd]

I thought I'd cross post this from GLBT so that it can get more attention..

It is expected this Wednesday the New Hampshire Senate will vote on HB436, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill has already passed the NH House of Representatives.

The judiciary committee of the NH Senate recommended killing the proposal last week; however, the bill is not dead yet. Senator Deborah R. Reynolds, a Democrat who leads the committee, said in a statement that the state “needs more time to build consensus” on the issue. The committee voted 3 to 2 against the measure. But since committees cannot kill legislation in New Hampshire, the full Senate will still vote on it.

We can call and convince the undecided/unconvinced Democrat senators that now is the time for marriage equality in New Hampshire. From Blue Hampshire (http://www.bluehampshire.com ), a senate scoreboard has been assembled.

Democrat Senators that have expressed support for HB436 (through media mention or HB436 testimony):
Matthew Houde ______ 603-271-2104 _____ [e-mail]
Jacalyn Cilley _____ 603-271-2642 _____ [e-mail]
Harold Janeway _____ 603-271-7585 _____ [e-mail]
Molly Kelly ________ 603-271-4153 _____ [e-mail]
Bette Lasky ________ 603-271-2735 _____ [e-mail]
Amanda Merrill _____ 603-271-7803 _____ [e-mail]
Margaret Hassan _____ 603-271-2106 _____ [e-mail]
Martha Fuller Clark _____ 603-271-4152 _____ [e-mail]

Undecided or Undeclared Democrat Senators
Kathleen Sgambati ________ 603-271-2641 ________ [e-mail]
Peggy Gilmour ________ 603-271-3569 ________ [e-mail]
Sylvia Larsen ________ 603-271-2111 ________ [e-mail]
Betsi DeVries ________ 603-271-6933 ________ [e-mail]
Lou D'Allesandro ________ 603-271-2600 ________ [e-mail]

Democrat Senator that Opposes HB436:
Deborah Reynolds ________ 603-271-3042 ________ [e-mail]

All Republican Senators Oppose the bill (but the democrats hold a 14-10 majority). Deborah Reynolds opposes the bill because she feels NH is not "ready". There is still time to convince her too.

Most senators have their home numbers listed on the NH Senate page: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp However, I advise against calling these senators at home unless you are actually a constituent.

If you have any friends or family members in New Hampshire, have them contact their senator. Even if you are not a constituent, send an email or call anyway. The more calls they get in support of the bill, the bigger difference it will make. Remember what happened in Vermont? It is time for New Hampshire to join the other New England states as a leader on this civil rights issue.

[Bluebear]

1. KICK!