NH Rep clears way for easier repeal of marriage?

Though only 27 percent support roll-back of rights.

New Hampshire State Rep. David Bates, a Republican from Winhdam, has withdrawn his support of a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage. ??By dropping the push for the amendment, the NH Legislature can now focus on one option -- the repeal of the marriage equality law. ??Last week the House Judiciary moved forward a bill that would replace marriage for same-sex couples with a so-called "civil union." Companies and organizations would have the option of ignoring the "civil unions." ??

Political commentator and former New Hampshire lawmaker Arnie Arensen calls Bates' abandonment of the amendment "simple and pathetically obvious." Although a supporter of "let the people vote" doctrine, Bates is no longer focusing on "the will of the people" and Arnesen suggests this may have something to do with the latest poll results -- only 27 percent of Granite Staters support the repeal of the marriage equality; 50 percent strongly oppose revoking marriage rate. Arnesen believes Bates is readjusting his position based on the make up of the NH legislature which is "currently controlled by the Tea Party and they command veto override majorities in both the House and the Senate," according Arnesen.

Kevin Nix, of Standing up for New Hampshire Families, said in a statement "Legislators should see the writing on the wall -- opposition to repealing the state's popular marriage law is overwhelming and bipartisan. The will of the people is clear: leave the law alone and get back to focusing on economic matters. Taking away freedom and liberty does not square with New Hampshire values."

The proposed legislation revoking same sex marriage rights includes a civil union option for couples, but includes no enforcement mechanism. If passed, those couples married would remain so, but those entering into civil unions would have no legal protections -- companies and organizations would not be required to offer the same benefits. It would also create the broadest religious exemption thus far, inviting corporations, private entities and individuals to discriminate against these unions.

"Regardless of what Rep. Bates is proposing, anything less than the marriage law currently on the books is a non-starter," Janson Wu, senior staff attorney at GLAD, said in a statement to Bay Windows. Bates' version of civil unions "is a recipe for confusion and litigation, " when compared to New Hampshire's 2008 civil unions law.

The House must vote on the bill early next year. Gov. John Lynch has stated he would veto the bill.