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Governor Lynch Make It Official- Signs Marriage Equality Into Law

And now, it is official, New Hampshire has become the sixth state to approve same-sex marriages. Governor John Lynch signed the bill which extended marriage to all citizens and the accompanying bill exempting religious groups from having to perform any ceremonies involving same-sex couples.

Lynch joins Maine’s John Baldacci in being the second governor to sign into law marriage equality. Vermont’s Governor Jim Douglas vetoed the law which was passed earlier this year, but had that overturned. Iowa, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all legalized same-sex marriage via the courts.

At 5:15 pm, Governor Lynch made New Hampshire the sixth state with legal same-sex marriages, and the third to do so via the legislature. California passed a marriage equality bill a few years ago, but that was vetoed by Governor Schwartzenager. California also passed marriage equality via the courts, but marriage opponents managed to get it overturned through the electoral system. A new battle over marriage equality is brewing in California right now.

New York is busy kibitzing over having a vote on their marriage equality bill with the future of that bill fairly murky at best. Rhode Island is the only state in New England which does not have marriage equality. Governor Baldacci has the support of the National Organization for Marraige in resisting the push in that state. However, he will not be governor much longer and those aiming to replace him are supporters of marriage rights.

With luck, the passage of New Hampshire’s marriage law will make it easier for New York to pass theirs.