N.H. House takes up gay marriage repeal

A bill that would repeal New Hampshire's same-sex marriage law and put it on the November ballot gets an airing Wednesday in the House of Representatives. The bill's main sponsor, state Rep. David Bates, a Republican, said he wants voters to have their say through a non-binding referendum on the matter, the Manchester New Hampshire Union-Leader reported. New Hampshire does not allow binding voter referenda. The House is scheduled to take up the repeal of the state's same-sex marriage law Wednesday. "In November we will find out once and for all, unequivocally what the citizens of New Hampshire want," Bates said last week. Bates said the bill would replace the "illegitimate" definition of marriage with a definition that marriage is between one man and one woman. He said the measure also would replace same-sex marriages with civil unions; limit civil unions to eliminate the possibility of incest; eliminate religious or moral exemptions for employment, housing and public accommodations; and clarify that same-sex marriages entered into under the current statute would remain valid if the law is repealed. If the House approves the bill, it would go to the Senate, which must approve it then send it to Gov. John Lynch, who has said he would veto the repeal. Lawmakers approved civil unions in 2007 and same-sex marriages 2009. The Union Leader said 1,906 same-sex couples were married since the law went into effect Jan. 1, 2010.