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Loading ...NH gov will sign gay marriage bill if it’s changed
05.14.2009 3:13pm EDT
(Concord) New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch says he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize gay marriage, but only if it strengthens protections for churches opposed to gay marriage.
The bill has been passed by the Legislature, but hasn’t yet reached Lynch’s desk.It would allow churches to decide whether they will conduct religious marriages for same-sex couples. But Lynch said Thursday he wants clearer language to ensure that people won’t be forced to violate their religious principles. He says laws in Connecticut and Vermont do that.
The only other New England state not committed to recognizing same-sex marriage is Rhode Island. It’s also legal in Iowa.
Go make the changes. Keep the legality of marriage out of religious dogma.
Nice! As for the change in wording I think thats perfectly fine. From my understanding the wording is already in there, but hey if he wants churches protected as much as possible, then fine with me. I firmly believe in seperating church and state as much as possible and that street goes both ways.
I agree, Why soil your marriage by holding it in a homophobic church.
It is great to hear that the governor is going to sign the bill if it is adjusted to ensure religious freedom (not that the assurance is really needed). We will get marriage equality and the religious right will not be able to say that marriage equality is opposed to their religious liberty. In short, we will really win all around.
pssshhht, An outdoor setting on a sunny day beats a church hands-down every time – even if your not getting married…
Previous articles mentioned that this wording is ALREADY IN THERE.
When’s the last time a catholic church was “forced” to marry jews? Churches are private, not public entities, and can marry, or not marry, anyone they want already.
Anyone who supports these bigot churches should be ashamed of themselves, especially the many gay people that suck it up and play good little house gay to the catholic church.
I could care LESS about getting married in a church! I don’t even believe in god! Why the heck would I want to force any church to marry me!?
Are Catholic priests currently forced to marry non-Catholics? Divorcees? A Jew and an Arab?
NO! They have no obligation and are under NO laws to perform these types of marriages! Same-sex marriage would be no different!
Fair enough….civil marriages should be the only ones with legal validity, that´s the way it is in many countries in Europe, it also strengthens the principle of separation State/Church. If only civil marriages are valid religious organizations would have to recognize them whether they want or not, for spousal benefits purposes… period.
I don’t plan on getting married in an anti-gay church anyway …
Change it! Who would want to be married by a church that doesn’t support your commitment. Many churches impose restrictions on opposite-sex couples to marriage in their places of worship. Better yet get rid of churches in marriage!
Why create (yet more) special rights for the religious?
Ok, I take this as good news. However, I just wonder if the bible waving bigots get “freedom” of their deeply held faith if they oppose interracial marriage?
How many gays really want to get married in a “church” anyway?
I for one don’t even want to enter one; keep them for the “christians”!!
Just let us have marriage equality in the U.S.
The changes the governor wants are really minor from equality perspective, similar to provisions that are in the Vermont and Connecticut laws. The legislature will be able to enact those before the current session ends in June.
In the mean time the marriage equality bill and a companion bill that already made some small changes are being delayed in the legislature. Once the third bill is passed, all three will be forwarded to governor for his signature.
Let them have their sily wording if it is so important for them to have. Just pass the bill.