Marriage equality passes New Hampshire legislature

While right-wing fundamentalist bigots filed a referendum to overturn Washington's expanded domestic partnerships law earlier this week, earlier today Maine became the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage and the New Hampshire legislature passed a bill to allow same sex marriage in that state. Maine joins Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa as states where people of the same sex can marry. New Hampshire's bill now goes to the desk of Democratic Governor John Lynch for his consideration. Its fate remains unclear, as Lynch has previously made statements against marriage equality.

House Bill 436, which extends the state’s marriage laws to include couples of any sex, won House approval by a vote of 178-167. The bill’s wording differs from the version the House passed in March, but its effect is basically the same.

“Any person … may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender,” the bill states.

Gov. Lynch now has the final say on gay marriage. He did not reveal his next move when speaking with reporters. He has said that he thinks the word marriage should be reserved for a union between a man and a woman.

As opponents of marriage equality are rapidly becoming marginalized by virtue of views that are out of the mainstream of American society, more legislators are stepping forward to ensure equality under the law for all citizens. We applaud their efforts, and hope that Governor Lynch makes New Hampshire the sixth state to offer marriage equality to its citizens.