NH Republican Says Repeal Gay Marriage Law

A Republican state lawmaker in New Hampshire said on Wednesday that he plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Gov. John Lynch signed a marriage equality law passed by the legislature this spring. It is scheduled to take effect on January 1, but conservative representative Daniel Itse (pictured) from Fremont wants voters to consider a constitutional amendment on the November 2010 ballot, according to The Boston Globe.

"Republican Rep. Dan Itse is affiliated with Citizens Leadership of New Hampshire, which was created a few years ago to highlight threats to constitutional freedoms," reports the Globe. "He said Wednesday he will sponsor two constitutional amendments when the Legislature reconvenes in January. One would make only marriages between men and women recognized by the state. The other would prohibit the state from abridging a parent's right to control their child's health, education, and welfare."

The legislature would first need to approve the amendment, which, if passed, would be presented to voters in November 2010, more than 10 months after same-sex marriage becomes legal throughout the state.