WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-N.H. Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage
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Concord, New Hampshire - April 29, 2009
New Hampshire is one step closer to becoming the fifth state to legalize same sex marriage. Wednesday, the state Senate voted to allow gay and lesbian couples in the Granite State to marry.
A recent poll in New Hampshire showed the state is pretty much divided on the issue-- 55 percent of the people favor gay marriage. Wednesday we heard reaction from people on both sides of the debate.
"I'm really excited about the news and hope to see more progress in the future," said Jordan Osserman, who supports same-sex marriage.
Osserman is a Dartmouth College sophomore and the co-chair of an equal rights advocacy group on campus.
"That would make New England, half the states in New England, would now have marriage equality which I think it really exciting news and it is just a testament to the hard work that the advocates in the movement have been doing," Osserman said.
Vermont recently legalized same-sex marriage to become the fourth state in the country to do so. Massachusetts was the first. New Hampshire seems to be following their lead. But that does not sit well with some people in the Granite State.
"I don't want us to turn into Vermont, I don't want to become the fifth state," said Karen Cervantes, who opposes same-sex marriage.
Cervantes grew up in Lebanon and has been a longtime supporter of New Hampshire's Republican Party.
"I don't begrudge gay or lesbians having their relationships or anything but I do feel that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman," Cervantes said.
But for Osserman it's simply an equality issue.
"It is really about extending the same rights that heterosexual couples have to same sex couples," he said.
Though some want New Hampshire to maintain its independence.
"I just see us going more Vermont and I don't want to see New Hampshire turn into Vermont," Cervantes said.
The Senate amended the bill, creating a two-tier system with a civil marriage and a religious marriage license. It now goes back the House for another vote. If it passes the House it will then go to the governor's desk. Gov. John Lynch has said that he believes a marriage is between a man and a woman, but won't say whether he'll veto the bill. However, the governor does not have to sign the bill in order for it to become law.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
