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Loading ...NH lawmakers to amend gay marriage bill
05.19.2009 12:21pm EDT
(Concord, New Hampshire) The New Hampshire Senate has begun work on an amendment to marriage equality legislation to make it more acceptable to Gov. John Lynch.
The original bill passed the legislature earlier this month, but last week, the governor said he would refuse to sign it unless there was clearer language protecting churches, church organizations and staff from lawsuits if they refused to permit same-sex marriages.The bill stated that churches would be allowed 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. Lynch said that laws in Connecticut and Vermont do that.
The governor said if the change is made he will sign the bill.
The amendment being prepared by a Senate committee will be attached as a separate measure to an unrelated bill to avoid reopening the whole gay marriage issue and to expedite approval.
It will come to a vote in the Senate and House on Wednesday and then go to Lynch’s desk.
If they amendment satisfies the governor, New Hampshire would become the sixth state to allow gays and lesbians to marry.
Again – screw the church. Let them have their precious words and be done with it already, quit f*cking around…
Finally! A prudent decision that actually deflects and repudiates claims being made by the far right!!! Good for John Lynch…NOW these churches and so called “Christians” who Love selectively will be hard pressed for propogandized lies to spread! Good for Lynch!
It must be fun to be religious in this redneck country. Think about it, if you want out of taxes, to be excused for homophobia, special accomodation or get out of the rules that everyone else has to follow, its so convenient: RELIGION
RELIGION IS A CHOICE–BEING GAY IS NOT–UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE?
I think Illinois is going to be next, if not NJ or NY,
And, again, what about protecting gays and lesbians from their form of “love”?
People fall all over themselves worrying about religion, but the human aspect seems to be completely overlooked.
Jeeeez, yet ANOTHER amendment??? This fookin’ bill is going to be so over “amended” we’re going to be left with nothing but a BLANK piece of papyrus! LMAO!
I wish the article had contained (or referred to) the actual text of the bill, and the proposed amendment. Because it sounds to me like this is about creating a second-class marriage.
Take it easy everybody, it’s just a minor, easy to work out detail. Marriage equality is just around the corner in NH and he said he would then sign it same as already happened in CT and VT. It may likely be a done deal in about a week or so.
What Morgan said.
Ok, See now its on! I just realized this does NOT only excuse the church but any individual at the offices of marriage licenses, etc.
what even hospital staff to say they don’t like LGBT so they should not have to wait on them or assist? WHAT?
Ok if you are LGBT in NH or any state that condones this then you start refusing to help Straight people or people of various races and religious backgrounds!
What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
I am so over fu%*ing religious people. I would love to see how they will be on their “Judgement Day”
IF they want to be with their GOD so badly, why don’t they just die already? Why are they taking modern medicines (made by liberal scientists) etc.. they want to live in the stone age so bad, yet they want their McMansions and SUVS, I dont get it!
The bigots can have their matrimony, all we want is civil marriage. Who wants to be “married” in a religious institution that doesn’t recognize our relationships? There are a number of churches that will perform same-sex marriages so, as noyz said, “screw the church” (at least the bigoted ones.)
I don’t get this. Because of the seperation of church and state, it is unconstitutional to make any law that would force any religious institution to act a certain way. Therefore, it would be impossible for NH’s marriage equality to effect any church. Why make more clear something that is already a given??
Samantha wrote: “Because of the seperation of church and state, it is unconstitutional to make any law that would force any religious institution to act a certain way.”
Not so, Samantha. There are many proscriptions on the behavior of churches. For instance, they are not allowed to endorse candidates or they lose their tax-exempt status. And, though you cannot force a church to marry a gay couple, they can not deny rental facilities to gay couples who wish to marry (there are cases about that before the courts right now).
The state certainly can make religion behave in the way they want. It has a big cudgel called “tax exemption” and the churches are not exempt from many laws with which they may not agree.
A few things: First – I am glad Gov. Lynch is working towards taking away any possible fight the religious right has. I think this amendment is a good thing, and he clearly has an eye on signing a bill into law that will hopefully remain a law.
Secondly – I definitely hear you on all the comments about church/state separation. Except many people don’t see it that way, so it needs to be in black and white.
Finally – I completely understand what you mean when you speak badly about “religious people.” I, too, am disheartened by the repuation they get. However, I am extremely religious, as well as an extreme straight ally for LGBT rights. I promise you this: no matter how much churches try to condemn and spread bigotry, there ARE still Christians in this country who are supportive, affirming, and see Jesus as a man who loved everyone equally..the perfect figure to follow in our lives. Our time is coming. Slowly, but surely.