By NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer Norma Love, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 22 mins ago
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said Thursday he will sign a bill to make his state the sixth to legalize gay marriage, but only if it the already-approved legislation is revised to strengthen protections for churches and people who worked for them.
"Throughout history, our society's views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded," Lynch told reporters. "New Hampshire's great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections."
Lynch said he personally opposes gay marriage, but decided to view the issue "through a broader lens."
The main gay marriage bill and a companion bill that fixed several problems were adopted last week. They had yet to make it the governor's desk for his signature. Now, they will be held until the protections proposed by Lynch are adopted, said Senate President Sylvia Larsen.
Larsen predicted the Senate would act quickly to adopt the changes.
House Speaker Terie Norelli said the House would work with the Senate to review and act on his suggestions as quickly as possible.
"I want to thank the governor for his leadership in finding a way that our state can move forward to enact marriage equality and, at the same time, respect religious tolerance," said Norelli, D-Portsmouth.
The bill's main sponsor — state Rep. Jim Splaine — said the bottom line is that Lynch supports marriage equality for gays.
Mo Baxley, executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, a group supporting gay marriage, approved of Lynch' proposed changes.
"This is language we can support," she said.
The only other New England state not committed to recognizing same-sex marriage is Rhode Island. Iowa is the other state to legalize gay marriage.
Lynch said the changes he is seeking would "provide for more tolerance for religious organizations and institutions and individuals, particularly individuals affiliated with religious organizations as they have to do with the marriage, the ceremony or other promotional activities related to the marriage ceremony itself," he said.
He said the Connecticut law contains better protections than the proposal adopted by the New Hampshire Legislature.
"There really are two tests for an individual or a business. An individual has to have a professional affiliation with a religious organization and the activity has to relate to the marriage or the celebration. Neither of those are included in the current legislation," Lynch said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090514/..._new_hampshire
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