CNN

Look at the picture.

Oh they look so happy.

Charming now get over it boys.

I still don't understand the difference between a civil union and same sex marriage. How do they differ?

marriage is an institution, and just like all institutions, THEY ARE NOT REAL!!! So who cares? Let a man marry a banana for all i care, its just a legal contract. Nothing "natural" about marriage.

of course, rand, you won't bring up the hate campaigns that go with the supporters of gay marriage. it's happening there, too, you know.

New Hampshire legislators do understand the constitution. A smart bunch! Congradulations! They are the true American Pioneers of our time!

Thank you Joe from Oklahoma. The rest of you people from away: Go make a mess in your own state. The people of New Hampshire are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves what's right. If you don't agree with our marriage equality bill, don't come here. LIVE FREE OR DIE!

oWL

What's the difference if 2 men or 2 women can check off the "married" box on their tax return? I approve of what NH is doing with protecting churches, but let the churches (and judges, etc) who have no problem with it perform the ceremonies. I fail to see in all this yelling how it will hurt one straight person for one split second, honestly I don't.

@ Angus.......... so sorry that you are concerned for your daughter, I for one, will not take part in hate. God bless you & your family.

I am ALL for Civil Unions, and I have asked on this blog many times for someone to explain to me why the LGBT community is insisting on Same Sex Marriage?

Civil Unions give couples the legal rights, etc., they need.

I am a Christian-Independent-voter who voted for President Obama. I consider myself a fair person, and I sincerely do not hate any one (well...... maybe....... Dick Cheney).

Please someone explain why Civil Unions are not enough? Peace.

Darth Vadik, CA

You didn't see no gays getting married DID YOU!

I too support civil unions but not same sex marriage. I believe persons in civil unions should have the same rights and benefits as married couples. But I'm still trying to figure out why men would want to be with men and women would want to be with women- sexually that is. Am I missing something?

Why would any homosexuals want to be married in some church anyway?

Principles of Marriage; let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2,& Ephesians 5:22-33. The word marriage in the Bible states for a male & female joining together as one, for gay couples it should be label any language instead of marriage period.

@ Alice, who said "Looks like all the Same sex Families with kids seem to be doing a hell of a better job raising the kids STRAIGHT women and men are giving up for adoption."

Poor poor Nebraska....they're never going to live that safe haven thing down, are they...

Sounds like a fair compromise to me. The churches are private institutions.

Alice May 20th, 2009 12:59 pm ET

Looks like all the Same sex Families with kids seem to be doing a hell of a better job raising the kids STRAIGHT women and men are giving up for adoption.

========================================

Assuming that your parents are hetero, you've most likely boldly proven your assertion.

TO THE OTHER ROBERT,

you already give southerners a bad name. sorry excuse.....

@God help us May 20th, 2009 12:48 pm ET

What about the kids????????????

-------------------------–

Which kids? The straight ones or the gay ones?

The straight ones will now grow up understanding what America really stands for. And the Gay ones will now be able to live their llives with the same liberty and freedoms as the straight ones

I support civil unions but not same sex marriage. Same thing I teach my kids. If there was a commerical on TV showing 2 men say kinda
being intimate. How do you explain that to your kids?

Christian Conservatives are so afraid.....it's not like Black Gay Muslims are going to break into their trailers and steal their rent-to-own big screen TV or their sheets and crosses.....

Ooooooh Dear Lord, think of the children….that is, Good Decent White Christian American children!

@ lou from CT says,

"Two PEOPLE......."

-------

Why just "Two" lou? Why not 3 or 4 people?? If they are consenting adults WHY would you stop polygamy?

Are you a bigot? Racist?? You probably long for the days when black people were hung from trees, eh?

You "equal rights" people are idiots.

Gay people ALREADY have the same rights as everyone else... they can marry someone of the opposite sex!

Straight people are also prohibited from "marrying" someone of the same sex.

WHERE is the law being unequally applied?

flash !!! new hampshire has change its motto from " live free or die" to " 'if you cant be happy be gay "

lol.... people actually think they can control what others call their relaitonships... get a clue.. marriage is just a word.. the work and devotion to make that union last til death do you part is much more important, without, the word marriage doesnt mean anything..

and yes adulterers and divorcees , i am talking about you. you are the ones who are destroying the sanctitiy of "marriage"

To Dutch in Bad Newz:

May this be a lesson to you. You cannot hold on to 99% of the liberal agenda without 99% of the liberals coming out to bash you on the 1% of their agenda you do not hold on to.

Civil Unions?...Yes. Marriage? No. Keep government out of the church's business.

Gay Marriage for ALL 50 states!!!

Dear Bristol: Go to college, get a job, be a good mother, be a useful member of society, and set an positive example.
But, Good Lord why should we care? Seriously?

what it is , is what it is ,,,, the northeast is happpy to be the homosextual area of the country.....

I believe that churches should be free to reject gay and lesbian weddings, etc. and I also believe that gay and lesbian people should be able to reject theologies that don't accept them. So, this is a good bill and should be passed.

Marriage is an institution. Institutions are created by PEOPLE, not chromosomes or brain chemicals or even deities. If you are opposed to same sex marriage, that's fine but stop trying to foist off your superstition the marriage was created by nature or God.

Dutch/Bad Newz,VA May 20th, 2009 11:47 am ET

I support civil unions but not same sex marriage. This matter is getting out of control.
___________________

Nope. It's called a slippery slope. Get used to it.

Dave and Mich... how about you mind your own business and not stick your nose in issues that dont pertain to you.

If your rights for getting married are being violated in any way, then I can see why you would comment here.
What do you care what I do with my partner? As far as Im concerned, you do not speak for God.

Peace

"Deeply held religious principles?" You mean fanatical superstition?

If people want to pretend there's something to the silly business of gods and devils and whatever, fine, that's their affair. But they're really in no position to insist that the rest of us accommodate their delusions.

Bruce- Marriage has been redefined throught history. Do you want to go back to the marriage tradition when your wife or daughter was a man's property? Your a pig! Get an informed opinion!

"john –
If Marriage is Legal between Same Sex, then, Why it should not be Legal between Siblings, Mother and Son, Father and Daughter?"

John, please explain how marrying someone of the sex is in anyway related to marrying a relative? And by the way both Cain and Abel married their sisters.

So if they get married, how do they determine who gets to wear the wedding dress?

Why do people hate on other people so much? You're different people, get over it. I have brown skin, you may have white, black, purple, yellow or green. Who cares? Whatever God you believe in probably doesn't believe that you should be the one doing the judgment.

Ok, Why exactly do churches need protection? Because? Aren't most civil unions held at the courthouse? And if it is at a church, aren't most people going to a church that they already feel comfortable with?
As I remember. most churches have their own rules about how they do weddings anyway.
This smells like a CYA for the Gov. to me

I'm just curious to know, out of the states that have approved S-S-M, have they made any changes to legislation?

Over fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce. Maybe gays will improve that stat.

Gays want to be equal, sorry it is impossible no matter how much you try. You can't have children naturally, can you? It isn't natural. Find a cure!!

If you don't like Gay Marriage, Don't have one. There case closed. Now on to the real problem with Marriage.. DIVORCE. Lets outlaw that!

Y'all do realize that "back in the day" is satirizing to make a point, right? Have a nice day!

Dutch, you are right. I stand corrected. Have a nice day!

you guys always say the poeple already voted no on this. Well if we left it up to "the people" things would be a LOT differant now then they are.

Looks like all the Same sex Families with kids seem to be doing a hell of a better job raising the kids STRAIGHT women and men are giving up for adoption.

@ Randolph Carter

Virginia is actually a BLUE state now in case you missed the last election.

back in the day,

you wish back for the days where you could drag black people thru the streets and lynch them too, dont you?

Lynch is right. Churches should be able to choose who they will and will not marry. Let's get this done.

@Back in the day

Please stop talking! I pray you are not from the south because if you are you are the type that gives the rest of us southerners a bad name.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA – Go back in the hole you came from. People like you will soon be goone and the next Generation will live much happier w/o people like you around living BITTER HATEFUL lifes.

Looks like it's time for New Hampshire to throw out their state government. The people keep voting no and the politicians keep enacting the laws anyway.

To Randolph: Robert isn't saying anything more than the truth. Regardless of whether you believe in God or evolution, it's a fact that only a sperm and egg can produce a life. That was his point of saying that the term marriage should only be used for a man and a woman. If gays want to live together they can call it anything but a marriage. I'm not saying discriminate because they are gay, just simply stating that it should be called something else since marriage has always been between a man and woman, like nature intended it to be.

Dutch/Bad Newz,VA wrote:
@ John who stated "If Marriage is Legal between Same Sex, then, Why it should not be Legal between Siblings, Mother and Son, Father and Daughter?"

That is one of the best arguments I've heard yet.

Why, Dutch? Because it is a common practice in the red states like VA? Have a nice day!

What about the kids????????????

@ John who stated "If Marriage is Legal between Same Sex, then, Why it should not be Legal between Siblings, Mother and Son, Father and Daughter?"

That is one of the best arguments I've heard yet.

People need to chill out about this issue. This is an EQUALITY issue. Two PEOPLE (emphasized for those who mentioned something idiotic about people and animals) love each others, they should be allowed to marry. Period. End of discussion.

Come on aboard, New Hampshire.

Dallas Independent – thank goodness,

I think being gay is not bad, or a crime, or anything to be embaressed about. Nothing makes me happeir than people being truthfull to themeselves,

Now being a bigot, racist and hatefull, that is shamefull and embarassing

Another example that Doomsday is near !

The Black Spider wrote:
...In 99% of the cases people choose to be gay period. ...

Spidey, let me ask you something. Do you like brussel sprouts? Whether you answered yes or no makes no difference. Did you choose to like or not like brussel sprouts? Probably not. You either do or you don't. Have a nice day.

How can people claim they want "smaller government" but when an issue like this comes in to play, suddenly they want the government to take control. Talk about hypocrisy. Ignorance....

I cannot believe there are actually that many gays! I would be embarassed to death to 'come out of my closet' and live like they do! Pathetic!

They always say this destroys traditional marriage but never say how this would destroy anything. The plain fact is, heteros don't need help destroying the institution of marriage. Newt is on his 3rd marriage and so is Rush. You don't think both were fooling around with the next wife while they still were married. Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggart are really helping out the religious end of this debate too. Republicans = Hypocrits.

Robert wrote:
Marriage is ONLY BETWEEN A MAN and WOMAN, because:

1. Only a Sperm can Fertilize an Egg, for Reproduction.

2. All young ones of All Animals on Earth are Nurtured by a Male and a Female. Humans can’t change the course of Mother Nature.

So, Robert, are you implying that humans are animals, that we may be related to monkeys and such? I thought that the big, invisible man in the sky created us 6,000 years ago. Have a nice day!

Candy – what do you have against people working hard to get ahead and making money? You too could make a good living if you wanted to. A hand up, Not a hand out. You are really Naive if you think handing people money for nothing helps them. Charity should not be a government run entity.

My daughter recently told my wife and I that she was gay. She just said, "Can I talk to you? I'm Gay". All my life I have protected my 17 year old. With her announcement my heart instantly broke by the thought she will face a world full of people prepared to judge her through their own ignorance and fear. I know she is strong and aware of the challenges. She will make it and live a happy and fullfiled life. But I still cry. My tears will stop only when our country fully accepts all its citizens by granting everyone full and identical rights and opportunities. Nothing less is right.

"Land of the free" Only in America, the most racist and sexist country in the world! Where the Republicans claim they are the saviors and champions of democracy, are against big government, fight the taliban and al-quaida, but want to use the bible to force our government to control peoples lives. The bottom line is I don't think that two people of the same sex should be together, but if they choose to so, who am I to tell them they can't! A homosexual couple should have the same rights and priveleges as a heterosexual one. So you immorally moral people who oppose same sex marriages, Please!!!

Gay marriage is an abomination.

How about we do the right thing and ban discrimination in ALL forms.

Keep passing laws against the will of the people. Your political office is safe and you will never feel political backlash. Look how great that's worked out for California!

Let's keep a true republican/conservative world where only the rich prosper, segregation is the norm, banish all gays/lesbians from the planet and only conservatives get to heaven!

We are all human beings and we all want the same thing, to be happy. Why deny something that all people seek and have a right to?

New Hampshire's motto – "Live Free Or Die".
It's their state...All the best!

If the gays marry then that will end all mating between men and women...and I for one don't want to be in any man pile. We need a good religous old testament lock down in the country. Two many womens rights, gays in the open, and of course look of the color running our country.

GOD WILL STRIKE DOWN AMERICA all of what I said just read a bible and you'll know I'm right

Marriage is either a civil matter, or a religious one. This hybrid that is whichever is politically convenient at the moment has gotta go. I hope that ALL NH couples will be protected by the law when all is said and done.

@ Lenora

I'm all for equality. I have nothing against homosexuals. My problem with the whole matter is that children being raised in this day and age are going to actually think that it's morally right for a man & man/woman & woman to be married when according to whatever faith(s) they may have been raised in may teach otherwise. I understand there's a seperation between church and state, but this matter clearly needs to be addressed. I don't have kids, but I wouldn't want to raise a child in an environment when society says same sex marriage is okay when I teach my child that it's not!

Being anti gay marriage is nothing to do with religion, it just isn't natural and more energy should be put towards finding a "cure"

If Marriage is Legal between Same Sex, then, Why it should not be Legal between Siblings, Mother and Son, Father and Daughter?

This Gay marriage being crammed down our throats is enough already. I support Civil unions but not calling it marriage. Marriage vows are Husband and wife, Man and woman. They can have the same rights with a different name................it is different.

Bravo New Hampshire. Another state rejects bigotry!

@ Robert, who said "2. All young ones of All Animals on Earth are Nurtured by a Male and a Female. Humans can’t change the course of Mother Nature."

Jeez man, watch some nature shows...Wild Wild Wsrld of Animals, Nova, Planet Earth, etc...or god forbid, pick up and read something other than the bible.

@Obama Victim May 20th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

as this movement gains momentum in the liberal and northern states, it may cost Democrats some of the gains they have made in the more conservative states……..Dems made some gains in the recent election, but the left wing support for this may set them back again in some parts of the country……………be careful what you wish for

---------------------------

I swear I heard this before....oh yea, 1952...Mississippi

What will be next? Legalizing marriage betwen Human being and Animals?
For those who think opposing same sex marriage is a religion matter your are wrong. I am an Atheist and when I look among all the animals of the world 99% of them goes male-female. Even plants goes male-female.
I will never give my child to adoption to any gay couple. They can have their own. In 99% of the cases people choose to be gay period. Only 1% is trangender base.
Disgusting.
CNN have the got to post my message

@Robert May 20th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

Marriage is ONLY BETWEEN A MAN and WOMAN, because:

1. Only a Sperm can Fertilize an Egg, for Reproduction.

2. All young ones of All Animals on Earth are Nurtured by a Male and a Female. Humans can’t change the course of Mother Nature.

------------------------------

Well put Robert..so next we should have folks who want to get married take a fertility test. And do you have any idea about what laws we should pass about single parent homes?

So you people are saying "it is getting out of control" are really saying democracy when it suits you, and facism when it doesn't.

I think that is a great compromise. Nice job.

still can't believe they let blacks marry whites...that was the down fall of this country

Same sex marrage! Are you kidding me!

What do people think...that we live in a free country of something...I mean what's next...letting blacks vote or some kind of civil rights movement!

But I don't need to worry. I'm sure the conservatives will put a stop to this...God Bless America.

Live, Liberty and ...and...hey, does anyone remeber what follows Live, and Liberty in this?

Is this not the land of free? arent all people created equal, that they are endowed by thier creator with certain unalienable rights, that among thse are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Don't we all deserve the same rights? we are all human beings who desire the same thing. happiness and prosperity. thats what this nation was founded upon, liberty for all. Don't deny someone thier chance to live thier life with someone they care for.

Marriage is ONLY BETWEEN A MAN and WOMAN, because:

1. Only a Sperm can Fertilize an Egg, for Reproduction.

2. All young ones of All Animals on Earth are Nurtured by a Male and a Female. Humans can’t change the course of Mother Nature.

as this movement gains momentum in the liberal and northern states, it may cost Democrats some of the gains they have made in the more conservative states........Dems made some gains in the recent election, but the left wing support for this may set them back again in some parts of the country...............be careful what you wish for

You can stop this moral disgrace on our country N.H. Please help our country keep Honor.

Yeah, Dutch. True equality is really out of control. Separate, but equal (which is inherently unequal) is much better, right?!?

Although I believe this is a step in the right direction, these provisions only further allow open discrimination of LGBT people. I understand that many religious institutions have strong beliefs opposing same-sex marriage, but "marriage" is BOTH a civil and religious institution. Furthermore, while churches don't pay taxes, LGBT people pay taxes and should have equal rights!

Protecting the conservative religious institutions is rational but we need to ensure the more liberal religious institutions that will provide same sex marriages be protected too!!!! I can already see the huge hate campaigns the Catholics and Mormons will instigate.

Equality is for everyone. New Hampshire will be the 6th state to get it.

And let's be clear: Lynch's little added peace of pander to the conservatives actually goes without saying and is inherent in any legislation as a result of the First Amendment.

Riiiiight...so Lynch wants to "Jim Crow" the homosexual population of NH to save himself some votes with the conservatives??? Separate bu equal is dead. The Legislature isn't doing it's job if it doesn't tell Lynch to take a long walk off a short pier. They need to let him veto appropriate legislation that calls EVERY SINGLE UNION a "civil union" with equal rights and NEVER USES THE WORD "MARRIAGE," then override his veto with a re-vote. Otherwise, they'll watch their pretty little piece of legislation end up in the Supreme Court.

Ok NH, here's your big chance to continue the destruction of this country. Have fun!

Is this attacking at a proximal or distal angle. I would rather protect the distal side of things.

I support civil unions but not same sex marriage. This matter is getting out of control.