NYT, April 30, 2009

N.H. Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill

CONCORD, N.H. ? The New Hampshire Senate voted narrowly on Wednesday to legalize same-sex marriage, paving the way for the state to potentially become the fifth in the nation ? and the third this month ? to allow gay couples to wed.

The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 13 to 11 in favor of the bill, which was passed by the State House of Representatives last month, but only after a last-minute amendment strengthened language granting legal protections for religious groups and organizations that do not want to perform or otherwise help carry out same-sex marriages.

It is unclear whether Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, will veto the law or whether the new language will persuade him to endorse it. Mr. Lynch has consistently opposed same-sex marriage, but has never said whether he would veto the bill or let it be enacted without his signature, as state law would allow. He has said that the state?s civil-union law provides sufficient rights and protections for gay couples.

Mr. Lynch?s office did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Kevin Smith, director of Cornerstone Policy Research, an in-state group that led a campaign against the bill, said the group would intensively lobby Mr. Lynch to veto it.