NH marriage fairness bill is still alive

[Zenlitened]

Associated Press, via Boston.com:

NH House wants to negotiate gay marriage fix
May 20, 2009

CONCORD, N.H.—A divided New Hampshire House has refused to go along with changes the governor demanded to make his state the sixth to allow gay marriage. Instead, it voted to further negotiate with the Senate.

The Senate passed the changes 14-10 Wednesday, but the House failed to agree later in the day by a vote of 188-186. Opponents tried to kill the bill, but failed. The House then voted 207-168 to ask the Senate to negotiate a compromise.

Gov. John Lynch said last week he wouldn't sign the legislation without language to better protect churches and their employees against lawsuits if their beliefs preclude them from marrying gays.

Link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/05/20/nh_house_wants_to_negotiate_gay_marriage_fix/

[Zenlitened]

1. AP adds comments from Gene Robinson, optimistic the bill will pass

Via the Wall Street Journal:

New Hampshire Lawmakers Put Off Approving Gay Marriage

CONCORD, N.H. – A divided New Hampshire House refused to go along with changes the governor demanded to make his state the sixth to allow gay marriage. Instead, the House voted to further negotiate with the Senate.

(snip)

Among the onlookers in the gallery above the House was Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the church. He said the House pushed the pause button, not reverse, and is optimistic lawmakers will come up with an acceptable bill this session.

Link:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124284564246640215.html

[Zenlitened]

2. And from Bay Windows:

"... A conference committee of seven members will now meet to see if it can work out a version of the new bill to satisfy everyone. The deadline for any legislative vote is June 25."

Link:
http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=91443

Also, the BW article seems to suggest that the religionist bigots (surprise!) are the ones fouling the works: -- Z

...during floor debate in the House on Wednesday, opponents claimed that, even with the governor’s additional language, the religious exemption was not sufficient. They claimed the bill would force religious-oriented groups, like the Catholic fraternity Knights of Columbus, to rent spaces to or provide services to same-sex couple weddings.

The language Lynch stipulated said that "a religious organization ... or any individual who is managed ... by... a religious organization ... shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to an individual if such request ... is related to the solemnization of a marriage ... and such solemnization ... is in violation of their religious beliefs and faith."

[Wednesdays]

3. K&R

:kick:

[bluedawg12]

4. Churches were NEVER at risk into marrying gays against their beliefs.

Thank you Democrat Gov. Lych. :grr:

[Zenlitened]

5. Update: Hoping for a vote by June 3

Associated Press, via Boston.com:

Gay marriage in NH hinges on compromise

By Norma Love, Associated Press Writer
May 21, 2009

CONCORD, N.H.—Gay marriage supporters in New Hampshire had hoped to be celebrating a new law on Thursday. Instead, same-sex marriage advocates are regrouping from the shock of seeing a legalization bill sidetracked for more debate.

Mo Baxley, executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, said gay marriage advocates are confident they have the votes to ultimately pass a bill that satisfies Gov. John Lynch's demand for expanded religious protections.

(snip)

Democratic legislative leaders hope to bring a compromise to a vote as early as June 3. If it passes, the bill and two already passed bills needed to implement gay marriage would be sent to Lynch for signature.

Link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/05/21/gay_marriage_in_nh_hinges_on_compromise/

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. This Lie from the bigots...

really pisses me off. There is no constitutional way to force the churches to do anything they don't believe in. This is just another lie cooked up by the Religious Wrong to throw in the path to marriage equality. Anyhow, what self-respecting couple would want to force a church t0 marry them when the church has made it clear that it doesn't even consider GLBTQ people fully human?