Failure for New Hampshire gay marriage repeal effort

March 22, 2012

Legislators in the voted down a proposal to repeal same-sex marriage rights in the state on Wednesday. The repeal measure garnered 116 votes, but this was outweighed by 211 votes to continue allowing same-sex couples to marry. were introduced in New Hampshire in 2007, followed by same-sex marriage in 2009.

If the repeal bill had passed, it would have rolled back the state's law in to allow civil unions but not same-sex marriage. has stated that he would veto any repeal bill the legislature passed. Both New Hampshire's House and are controlled by Republicans.

Craig Stowell, co-chairman of Standing Up for New Hampshire Families, which support same-sex marriage rights, said that those trying to repeal the law "blew it": "This was supposed to be the most favorable legislative climate for repeal and they couldn't even get a majority."

The anti-gay marriage group, the, has stated that they will spend $250,000 to support the reelection campaigns of the lawmakers who voted for the repeal bill, while the New Hampshire Republicans of Freedom and Equality PAC has stated they will be raising money to support Republican candidates who voted against the repeal measure.

In the United States, is now legal in, , , , , , ,  and the.