Gay Marriage Bill Passes in N.H.

Another victory for gay marriage advocates: The New Hampshire Senate has passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, 13-11. The bill could hit a hurdle in Gov. John Lynch, however, who hasn’t indicated whether he’ll veto it; he’s already expressed opposition to the measure. The state’s House of Representatives passed the bill March 26, but it looked doomed for defeat in the Senate, before an amendment was added prohibiting polygamy and marriage of family members, mollifying some critics. The last-minute changes also allow clergy to decline to marry gay couples. If Lynch signs the measure, New Hampshire will join Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in allowing gay couples to wed. Maine’s legislature could vote on a similar measure as early as next week, Reuters reports.