The Democrat Governor of the US state of New Hampshire has signed an 'equal marriage bill', making the state the sixth in America to approve same-sex marriage. The law will take effect on 1 January 2010, when the first gay marriages can happen. The state's Senate voted 14 to 10 in favour of the law, then the House of Representatives approved it by 198 votes to 176. However, a sentence in the bill means churches can decide to 'opt out' of same-sex marriage ceremonies if they choose. "With Gov. Lynch signing legislation passed by the state Senate and House, New Hampshire has become the latest state to recognize that loving, committed couples, and their families, should receive equal dignity and respect under the law," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. Civil Unions for same-sex couples had been legal in New Hampshire since 1 January 2008, but with same-sex marriage coming into effect, they will be longer be performed.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 5th June 2009 - 11:08am