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Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom Secured in Decisive Legislative Vote

Legislators send HB73, along with marriage equality bills, to Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 3, 2009

CONTACT:  Adam Bass, New Hampshire Freedom to Marry, (603) 223-0309, adam@nhftm.org

CONCORD -- In a decisive vote, the New Hampshire House of Representatives followed the Senate's lead in approving a bill aimed at securing religious liberties.  Grouped with two previous pieces of legislation advancing the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples, the bill's passage was the last major procedural before the Governor is expected to sign all three bills into law.

"Today's vote is in line with the majority of Granite Staters who support the freedom to marry," said Mo Baxley, the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition.  "The legislature has upheld the New Hampshire values of individual liberty, freedom and fairness.  We applaud the legislature for continuing to strongly safeguard religious freedom while making sure that all loving, committed couples have the freedom to marry."

When Governor Lynch signs the marriage-related bills, New Hampshire will become the sixth state to recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples.  Governor Lynch has indicated that he will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.

 

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The New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition was founded in January 2001 and is New Hampshire's Statewide LGBT education and advocacy organization.  http://nhftm.org/