Marriage Equality: New Hampshire and Maine

Iowa got the ball rolling. New Hampshire is poised to further advance marriage equality. From the Concord Monitor:

The New Hampshire Senate voted, 13-11, today to allow adult same-sex couples to marry, approving an amended version of a House-passed bill after a vote to kill the legislation altogether failed by the same margin.

The bill passed by the Senate recognizes a distinction between civil and religious marriages and allows religious denominations to decide whether they will conduct religious marriages for gay or lesbian couples. Civil marriages would be available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples under the law. “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 Sen. Maggie Hassan, an Exeter Democrat.

This isn't a done deal. Both houses have to reconcile differences in their respective bills and it has to get past New Hampshire's governor, who may veto it. If he vetos it I am sure the legislature will not override his veto. But he may just let the bill pass into law without his signature (an option in NH). We'll see.

Maine is one step behind New Hampshire, approving marriage equality in a judiciary committee vote. Next it will go before the full legislature and its chances look promising. We are moving forward on this issue. And let me finish with a reminder of Kieth Olbermann's statement on this issue (made right after the passage of California's Hate Amendment):



What I don't understand is how two consenting adults loving each other threatens anyone else? My marriage isn't threatened if gays can marry!