Alright NH! State Senate passes marriage equality bill.

[cali]

Gay marriage bill passed by Senate



Concord – A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Hampshire passed the Senate today on a 13-11 vote.

The bill, amended on the Senate floor, draws a distinction between civil and religious marriage, and says that any two individuals have a right to join together in a civil marriage.

Last week Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Deborah Reynolds, D-Reynolds, opposed the bill and voted with a committee majority that it should be killed. She said voters in her district told her they favor the legislation, and urged the Senate to vote for an amendment that was drawn up Tuesday night.

She said the wording “gives everyone in the state the right to seek a civil marriage … This is a compromise that is respectful to both sides in this debate and meets our shared goals of equality in state laws for all the people of New Hampshire. The people of this sate share the core values of equality for all, tolerance and acceptance regardless of our differences”

Republicans voted in a block against the measure, joined by Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester.

Sen. Matthew Houde, D-Lebanon, said many younger voters in the state have already concluded that same-sex marriage is acceptable, and are waiting for lawmakers to catch up to them.

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http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gay+marriage+bill+passed+by+Senate&articleId=12eb3305-7bf0-4818-9961-30e2118d94bd

This legislation has already passed the NH House. Now it's up to Governor Lynch. He can sign it, veto it or simply let it pass into law. Another note, all the repukes voted against it along with one dem.

[yardwork]

1. New Hampshire is now ahead of Obama and many DUers in progressive values.

New Hampshire and Iowa - more progressive than the White House.

[cali]

2. well, in this one regard

but in other ways, definitely not. And the Iowa thing is a court decision, not a decison by the citizenry or their reps.

[yardwork]

11. "In this one regard" involves human rights still denied to only one group of people.

It's a pretty significant issue.

[cali]

12. yes, it's significant.

frankly, on marriage equality, I don't expect the administration to take the lead. I fault them much more for not being more aggressive on DADT than on marriage equality.

[yardwork]

14. President Obama has made his opinion on gay rights very clear.

[graywarrior]

3. I cannot wait to read the ltte in the Conway Daily Sun this week

These people up here are gonna freak out over this in a bad way...hahahahahahaha!

[Bluerthanblue]

8. that's ok- let them have their

tantrum-

This is so cool- thanks again for the heads up about calling Senators yesterday-
(mine- (Janeway) is great- but it's still important to speak up)

A good day for NH- and for all our GLBT brothers and sisters.


:hi:

[graywarrior]

9. I am so happy about this!

[KamaAina]

4. And New England moves closer to getting four of six states on board

Why, oh why, does it have to be so cold and miserable up there?! :(

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. YES!!!!! ENLIGHTENMENT STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!

NH Democrats have finally codified the obvious - that there is a difference between religious and civil "marriage."

FINALLY!

It's so friggin' obvious, and yet there are cretins out there - they're called, uh, what's the word, oh, yeah, REPUBLICANS - who do not get it.

This is excellent. I hope the governor does the right thing.

And, as usual, because they are absolutely incapable of learning, the GOPigs unanimously voted against it.

I wonder how long they'll hold onto this intransigence. I wonder when they're going to figure out that it's not working for them .........

[Occam Bandage]

6. Here's hoping Lynch doesn't try to delay NH's admission to the civilized world.

[Bluerthanblue]

7. YES!!!! I'm so glad- now if Lynch will sign it- NH will have turned

an important corner.

The "bathroom bill" failed this am. Medical Marajuania passed- and Death penalty is still to come, I think.

Good news on this though.
Thanks for posting.


:hi:

[Bluebear]

10. Unreal.

I can't quite get my head around the fact that I am this close to being able to get married!

[cali]

13. and it rests in the hands of Lynch

I don't know what he'll do, but I'm hoping he'll just let it become law. Doesn't seem there's much of a chance of his signing the legislation.

[Vidar]

15. Good for New Hampshire.