The New Hampshire Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would make the state the fifth in the nation to grant marriage equality.The 13-11 vote came despite a recommendation last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee that it be rejected.
The chair of the committee, Sen. Deborah Reynolds (D) was one of those who recommended voting against the bill, but on Wednesday she voted for it, saying since the committee meeting she had heard from a large number of constituents who favored the bill.
Republicans voted in a block against the measure, along with one Democrat.
The bill was amended prior to the vote to draw a distinction between civil and religious weddings - allowing churches which do not approve of gay relationships to refuse to conduct ceremonies.
Last month the bill passed the House on a 186-179 vote, but the House will need to vote on this bill again, since it was amended by the Senate.
If it passes the House a second time, it will head to the desk of Gov. Gov. John Lynch who has said he believes the current civil union law works fine, but has not said if he would veto the bill.
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