Lawmakers take testimony on a senate approved plan that would block recognition of same sex marriages performed in other states.
The daylong hearing ranged from statutory nuance to constitutional intent rights to musings over religious scripture and the will of god..The plans lead sponsor, Kingston Senator Russell Prescott kicked off the testimony. He stressed that current law already prohibits same sex marriages. And insisted insists his sole aim is to plug a hole in that law that he says makes New Hampshire vulnerable to mores of other states.
"What this bill does is close a loophole in the statute that says nh will recognize as valid….any marriage legally contracted in another state. Failure to close this loophole will would permit an out of state legally married couple of the same sex to move to nh and demand recognition of their marriage here."
Critics of the bill, however, say Prescott oversells the purported loophole.
"This is a shotgun aimed at a hypothetical fly."
Marcus Hurn is a professor at Franklin pierce law center.
"The only possibility of there being a loophole is that people who are bona fide citizens of Massachusetts?.become married and then choose to put all of their legal rights and their marital status?in jeopardy by actually becoming citizens of NH."
Others who opposed the measure focused less on statutory details and more on the message they say the policy sends. Ed Butler of the NH freedom to marry coalition.
"I hope you all see this bill for what it is -- blatant decrimination, and an attempt to prevent the gay and lesbian community from eventually achieving equality under the law. I know you've heard these phrase today liberty and justice for all?.call me an idealist but I truly believe those words were meant for me as much as for you."
Champions of the measure were just as insistent that not bolstering the existing prohibition on gay marriage could set NH on a road to ruin. Shannon McGinley of Bedford presented lawmakers with a petition of more than 400 signatures of Parishioners from St. Mary's church in Manchester.
"You know today there are many types of relationships with 2 women 2 men they share their children?..You know the slippery slope goes one and on without being two graphic about showing those examples."
The catholic church's support of the measure included a rare statehouse appearance by Bishop John McCormack. He told lawmakers the union of one man and one woman is endorsed by all major religions and is a foundation of Christian doctrine?..That view was not shared by former Episcopal Bishop Douglas Theuner -- who called the bill "discriminatory in the extreme." The house judiciary committee will make its recommendation on the measure to the full house by month's end.
