Bravo to New Hampshire.

I agree with the stipulation that religious groups should not be forced to participate in ceremonies or required to marry gay couples.  I believe religious groups have always held the right to refuse to marry anyone for any reason.

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

Published: June 3, 2009

BOSTON — The New Hampshire Legislature approved revisions to a same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday and Gov. John Lynch promptly signed the legislation, making the state the sixth in the nation to let gay couples wed.

The bill had been through several permutations in an effort to satisfy Mr. Lynch and certain legislators that it would not force religious groups that oppose gay marriage to participate in ceremonies celebrating it.

Mr. Lynch, who previously supported civil unions but not marriage for gay couples, said in a statement that he had heard “compelling arguments that a separate system is not an equal system.”

“Today,” he said, “we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities — and respect — under New Hampshire law.”

The law will take effect on Jan. 1.

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