Same-sex marriage
among top issues in N.H.

Should marriage be strictly a union of one man and one woman? That's a question facing New Hampshire lawmakers when they reconvene Wednesday. Lawmakers will be asked to consider amending the constitution to state that marriage is a union of one man and one woman. State law bans same-sex marriages, but it would be easier to repeal the law than to rescind a constitutional amendment. A committee established to study New Hampshire's marriage laws recommended that same-sex couples be denied legal status and be allowed only a minimum of benefits available to straight couples. The panel's minority accused the majority of putting gays on trial rather than seriously studying the issues. (AP)