House lawmakers will soon take up the controversial bill that would ban gay marriage. The state Senate passed the measure Thursday by a margin of more than 3 to 1. The legislation would also prohibit the state from recognizing any civil union or gay marriage sanctified outside state borders. New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein spoke with House lawmakers about the bill's prospects.
This bill appears to have legs.
Governor Craig Benson says he supports it.
16 of 24 senators voted for it.
And now the bill that seemed to have strong Senate support heads to the Republican-controlled House.
Not so fast says openly gay Democratic House member Ray Buckley.
Track 3
:31 I wouldn't say it enjoyed support. In fact, a number of the Senators who voted for it approached me yesterday and said it was something they agonized over and they were really not sure they did the right thing.
The legislation would ban same-sex marriages, something already written into state law.
However, the new bill will would also prohibit New Hampshire from recognizing gay marriages and civil unions approved outside the state.
But Buckley says opponents of the measure must drive home the dangers of the plan.
Track 4
:36 ...if there is a couple that is vacationing in NH and something happens, there marriage will not be recognized for medical reasons and a whole host of reasons, if there is a death of one of the spouses and they own a piece of property, once again, there marriage is not recognized.
With an eye on tourism dollars, Buckley says vacationers and others should feel they can come here confident New Hampshire will recognize their relationships.
Republican State Representative Daniel Itse says New Hampshire lawmakers should make New Hampshire law.
5:29 there is the sense that we are not going to let another state dictate our public policy, and that is unequivocal. And for my part, I wouldn't vote for it, but I rather see us pass a law ourselves recognizing same sex civil union...then to simply let it occur by judicial fiat.
Itse is also supporting the bill because he says morally -- it is the right thing to do.
In his estimation, recognizing civil unions or same-sex marriage will ultimately devalue traditional marriage.
That, he says, will lead to ruptured families and a host of other social problems.
Itse is counting on about a third of the House to agree with that argument.
But he says he wouldn't bet the farm on whether or not the bill passes.
16:38 I think it's going to be nip and tuck. We've got one third Democrats, and one third unequivocal Republicans...and a third in the middle that will probably go with it, but would I want to write a check on it? Noooo.
The one-third in the middle includes the influential House Leadership.
Over his 18 years in the House, Democratic Representative Ray Buckley says Leadership has never taken a position on legislation pertaining to gays.
Majority Whip Rogers Johnson says as of today, leadership hasn't even had a chance to read bill.
1:55 I can honestly say that at this point in time since we don't have physical possession of the bill, we don't know...so I don't think House leadership will take any firm stance one way or the other until we've had a chance to look at the bill.
On these types of bills he says, Leadership usually lets members vote their conscience.
Johnson couldn't say whether this one meets that standard.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
