New Hampshire
legislators are mulling two very different bills -- one
that would build on the state's civil union bill to legalize
same-sex marriage, and one that would define marriage
as a union between a man and a woman.
The state's house
judiciary committee will hold a hearing on both bills
Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Bishop of the
New Hampshire diocese V. Gene Robinson, the first
openly gay -- and actively partnered -- priest to be
elected bishop by the Episcopal Church, is slated to
testify in favor of the same-sex marriage bill sponsored by
Rep. Jim Splaine. The bill that would ban same-sex
marriage is being carried by GOP representative Leo
Pepino.
Other legislation
regarding legal unions is also under consideration. One
bill would make the protections afforded by civil unions
accessible to straight couples and relatives of the
same gender. Another would prohibit the state from
recognizing same-sex marriages from other states as civil
unions. (Advocate.com)
