A proposed legislative change which would've dismantled same-sex
marriage rights in New Hampshire has been defeated, this
week.
Yesterday, lawmakers in the New England state rejected the repeal
in a vote of 116-211 - drawing applause from those present.
Although gay marriage was introduced in New Hampshire in 2009
during a Democrat-led state legislature, more than 100 republicans
voted against the repeal, yesterday.
If it had been successful, the change would've been a considerable
blow for gay and lesbian equality in the United States.
Namely because same-sex marriage would have been substituted with
civil unions from 2013.
That said, the 2,000 same-sex marriages which have already taken
place in New Hampshire would have remained valid and not been
down-graded.
Now, New Hampshire remains one of six U.S. states where same-sex
marriage is legal.
The others are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York and
Vermont, plus the District of Columbia.
