New Hampshire lawmakers reject amended same-sex ‘marriage’ bill

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Manchester, N.H., May 21, 2009 / 06:18 pm (CNA).- Contrary to expectations, New Hampshire lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have recognized same-sex “marriages” contracted in the state. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, especially since lawmakers decided not to include protections for religious groups that the state's governor said must be included to avoid his veto.

Though the state Senate passed the bill in a party line vote of 14-10, the state’s Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted down the bill 188 to 186.

An earlier version of the bill had passed the House on March 26, Reuters reports.

Democratic Gov. John Lynch had added wording to the bill that would give legal protections, including the right to decline to “marry” same-sex couples, to clergy and others affiliated with religious organizations.

The governor has said he would veto the bill if the wording is not adopted.

The bill now passes to a committee that will try to resolve the differences between the two chambers.

State Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, a homosexual Republican from Manchester, opposed the religious freedom amendment. He argued the amended bill allowed discrimination to be written into state law.

According to Reuters, other House Republicans said they voted against the bill because the process did not fairly give a voice to every citizen who wanted to speak on the issue.

In a May 7 statement, Bishop of Manchester John B. McCormack opposed the first version of the bill, saying "We believe that we should be doing all we can as a society to support and protect marriage, which is a union of a man and woman and has been throughout history."

He said the bill would "redefine marriage on the run" with the "slimmest of legislative margins." The New Hampshire bishop also emphasized the need to secure religious liberties. He warned "unintended consequences" of the proposal would lead to "unnecessary confusion, litigation and denial of rights to many people in our state."

Comments: 7

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 05/24/2009 07:40 PM EST

Mr. or Miss Bruce Robinson or whatever confusion you are; Marriage is a right between a man and a woman. It is not a right for the preverted homosexual; it has never been; even animals can distinguish the opposite sex for mating. Please stay in Canada for your loving and leave us Americans here alone.

Published by: dee
nh usa 05/23/2009 07:09 PM EST

because, Bruce, they are not really about the right to marry, but they are about forcing the rest of us to cooperate with this against our will & beliefs. We can see what happened in Ma. I'm sure you know what the homosexual agenda is !

Published by: D. Smith
Northern California, USA 05/23/2009 11:09 AM EST

I always had thought of New Englanders as strait-laced individuals, obeying God's laws and living God-fearing lives.

When I heard of this earlier "gift" to homosexuals of recognizing their unnatural unions I was appalled.

Now it appears N.H. citizens have been given a second chance. Kudos to the governor and Bishop McCormack.

With liberals and homosexuals bashing anyone who disagrees with them, I imagine this reconsideration was indeed an act of courage. I can see the homosexual agenda being constantly pushed as it gains at every juncture: in our schools, in some church denominations, in government programs, in judicial, medical and welfare programs.

The cry then would be "discrimination" by yet another segment of our population. "I didn't get the job, loan, advancement, whatever......because I was discriminated against....because I am gay....
Why must we recognize
sin as being proper for the sacrament of marriage?

God gave us an example of a Holy Family. He also gave us physical equipment which should also be a distinguishing factor.

If homosexuals want a union why can't they be satisfied with a civil union? Because they still want our blessing on their sinful lifestyles - even if it has to be legislated as a law!

Published by: David Werling
South Bend/Indiana/USA 05/22/2009 04:55 PM EST

Marriage is not a right.

The problem with most Americans is that their TVs do their thinking for them, and they have lost all touch with reality and reason.

Published by: Seth
United States 05/22/2009 01:28 PM EST

Marriage was given to us by God for MEN AND WOMEN. The term Marriage was made for religious purposes. The problem isn't for Marriage rights, because Marriage isn't a "right" it is a committed between a Man and Women and God. If people want a Civil union for legal rights, well that is different. But Marriage isn't a right, it is a God given gift to Man and Women.

Published by: Missy Farber
Wolcott VT USA 05/22/2009 11:28 AM EST

At least one New England State has common sense. Thank you for standing up for marriage as traditionally defined. And thank you also for protecting your citizens' rights.

Published by: Bruce Robinson
Kingston, ON Canada 05/22/2009 06:15 AM EST

Rate: Bad

I don't understand how a simple majority of legislators can prevent one segment of the population -- loving, committed same-sex couples -- from exercising the their civil right to marry.

Certain rights are fundamental, and marriage is one of them.

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