The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the New Hampshire state Senate’s vote today in favor of legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry. The Senate voted 13-11, on second reading, in favor of an amended version of House Bill 436, which would allow same-sex couples to marry under state law. The bill passed the House last month by a 186-179 vote. Since the Senate voted on an amended version, the bill will return to the House after third reading in the Senate.
“Just one month ago, there were only two states where same-sex couples could marry. Now, with this vote in New Hampshire, we are on the verge of having five states that recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples. It’s been quite a month, and we look forward to more states joining this group,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Deb Reynolds for their leadership in reaching a positive result. We also congratulate GLAD, PFLAG New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, the many activists, including HRC members, who have been working to build support for this legislation, and the majority of New Hampshire voters who support marriage equality.”
“The votes in the House and Senate simply recognize that same-sex couples who form committed relationships and loving families deserve the same level of respect and dignity afforded to other couples. The Senate's amendment protects the religious freedom of clergy and religious organizations, while respecting the rights of same-sex couples to protect and care for their families. I hope the House will concur with the amended version by the Senate, and that Gov. Lynch will join the legislature and the majority of New Hampshire voters and allow this important legislation to become law,” Solmonese said.
