Manchester, N.H., May 21, 2009 / 16:18 pm
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.