New Hampshire will be the sixth state to legalize gay marriage. Governor John Lynch has promised to sign the bill - with some minor revisions - when it is sent to his desk. Lynch agreed provided the already-approved legislation would be revised to better protect churches and their employees against lawsuits if their beliefs preclude them from marrying gays. Gay marriage supporters said they do not object. There is no movement to force churches to marry gays, it is a ridiculous fear.
In explaining his intentions (Lynch is a Roman Catholic) the Democratic Governor said: "New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections."
It is a very odd situation, since Lynch has consistently been against gay marriage. He likes to say that he sees the issue through a broader lens, one of civil liberties.
Senate President Sylvia Larsen and House Speaker Terie Norelli predicted the New Hampshire Legislature would act quickly to make the changes, likely next week. The bills primary sponsor, state Representative James Splaine was happy that the Governor stands for marriage equality.
Lynch is not without his detractors, primary among them that glorious piece of Republican morality, John H. Sununu who let loose with the best he could muster: "Once agan the Governor is against something and for it at the same time." The few remaining gay marriage opponents in the state dredged up the same old arguments but without much enthusiasm.
The deal is done.
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