Concord, N.H., May 15, 2009 / 18:14 pm
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch on Thursday said he will sign a bill to recognize same-sex "marriages" contracted in the state if religious liberty protections are added to the bill. Backers of the proposal said they would make the requested changes, which would protect individuals and institutions only "in some instances."
Lynch, a Democrat, told reporters he personally opposes same-sex "marriage" but decided to view the issue "through a broader lens," the Associated Press reports.
"Throughout history, our society's views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded," Lynch said. "New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections."
Gov. Lynch said he wanted religious liberty protections modeled on Connecticut. He said he wanted protections in cases such as an organist employed by a church opposed to same-sex "marriage" could legally refuse to perform at a homosexual "wedding."