By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
After being satisfied that the bill would not force religious organizations that oppose same-sex marriage to participate in these ceremonies, the governor of New Hampshire signed a same-sex marriage bill into law, making it the sixth state in the U.S. to allow homosexuals to marry.
Gov. John Lynch, who opposes same-sex marriage, insisted that the bill contain language that will protect religious organizations and their employees from being sued for refusing to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies. He also ordered that the bill protect members of religious groups from having to provide same-sex couples with religious counseling, housing designated for married people and other services relating to “the promotion of marriage.”
But the House rejected that language last month by a two-vote margin, and legislative leaders appointed a committee to negotiate a compromise.
The committee agreed to include a preamble that further emphasizes the rights of religious groups. It states: “Each religious organization, association, or society has exclusive control over its own religious doctrine, policy, teachings and beliefs regarding who may marry within their faith.”
The governor agreed to the compromise and signed the bill into law. It takes effect on January 1.
“Today we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities — and respect — under New Hampshire law,” the governor said after signing the bill.
According to a report by The New York Times, opponents say the committee’s work was tainted because it required a unanimous vote and one Republican member refused to sign off on the compromise. Senate president, Sylvia B. Larsen, a Democrat, decided to break the impasse by replacing that member with someone who would agree to the compromise.
Kevin Smith, director of the Cornerstone Policy Research, a group opposing the bill, said lawmakers “rammed this legislation through” in a way that “reeks of backroom deals and a subversion of the legislative process.”
New Hampshire is the fifth New England state to legalize same-sex marriage, although the people of Maine are working to have the decision reversed by the people in a vote next year. Rhode Island is not expected to pass same-sex legislation anytime soon.
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