N.H. vote moves state closer to gay marriage

CONCORD, N.H. - The state Senate voted yesterday to move New Hampshire a step closer to becoming the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage, but it made a distinction between religious and civil ceremonies, bringing back an idea the House rejected in March.

The bill, which passed 13-11, now goes to the House, which can agree with the Senate, kill the bill, or ask to negotiate something different.

Gov. John Lynch would see a bill only if both chambers agree. Lynch has said he believes the word marriage should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman but has not said he would veto a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

"I still believe the fundamental issue is about providing the same rights and protections to same-sex couples as are available to heterosexual couples," Lynch said in a statement. "This was accomplished through the passage of the civil-unions law two years ago. To achieve further real progress, the federal government would need to take action to recognize New Hampshire civil unions."

In its debate on the bill last month, the House rejected a measure that would have established civil and religious marriage licenses, though it did not define the difference.

The Senate version goes into much greater detail about the distinction.

"This bill recognizes the sanctity of religious marriage and the diversity of religious beliefs about marriage while still providing equal access to civil marriage to all New Hampshire citizens," said State Sen. Maggie Hassan (D., Exeter).

The bill allows churches to decide whether they will conduct religious marriages for same-sex couples. Civil marriages would be available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

Also in contrast to the House bill, the Senate's would let each party to the marriage be identified as bride, groom or spouse. Same-sex couples united by civil unions in the past year would automatically be assumed to have a "civil marriage" under the bill.

"This is a compromise that is respectful to both sides of this debate and meets our shared goal of equality under state law," said Sen. Deborah Reynolds (D., Plymouth).

Opponents argued that marriage is a sacred religious institution that would be cheapened by letting gay and lesbian couples marry. They said same-sex marriages threaten the foundation of human civilization.

"The marriage of a man and a woman is not based on prejudice but on the fact of human nature," Sen. Robert Letourneau (R., Derry) said.

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa allow same-sex marriage. California briefly allowed it last year, but a voter initiative in November repealed it.