Call to Action

Fight Same-Sex Marriage in New Hampshire

 

Update:On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, the House and the Senate will consider a committee of conference report that amend HB 73 to include certain religious exemption language in a same sex marriage bill.  If this measure is defeated, Governor Lynch said that he would veto the bill to legalize same sex marriage. 

 

From New Hampshire Catholic Conference:

How to Take Action 

• Call your Senator TODAY and ask your senator to reject the committee of conference report and vote down HB 73 when it reaches the Senate floor.  Click here to find contact information on NH senators.
  
• Call your House representatives TODAY and ask them to oppose the committee of conference report and vote down HB 73.  Click here to find contact information on House members: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx.  
  
• Attend a rally at the Statehouse at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3 to show your support for traditional marriage.  If you can, stay for the day in the House Gallery until the vote on HB 73.
  
• Follow the progress of the bill:  www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status

 

On April 29 the Senate passed HB436
13-11. This makes New Hampshire the nation's fifth state where gay marriage is legal.

Bishop McCormack Asks Gov. Lynch to Veto

Statement of Bishop McCormack on HB 436 - SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

I am deeply disappointed that HB 436 has passed the New Hampshire State Senate. The slim two-vote margin demonstrates that this radical change does not enjoy a consensus of support. It indicates a deeply divided House and Senate that is rushing to change a fundamental part of our society.
I encourage Governor Lynch, who opposes this effort, to take a stand for the uniqueness of the marriage relationship and veto the legislation. We have built our entire civilization on marriage as being between one man and one woman. It is the institution through which we raise our children and sustain the family as the building block of society.

Please contact Gov. Lynch and ask him to preserve traditional marriage. Gov. Lynch is a Catholic.

 

Contact Governor Lynch
	Office of the Governor State House 25 Capitol Street Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-2121 (603)271-7680 (fax) Email the Governor

 

 

From New Hampshire Catholic Conference

Statement of Bishop McCormack on HB 436 (SAME-SEX MARRIAGE)

For thousands of years, marriage has been accepted as the union of one man and one woman. We have built our entire civilization on this premise. Marriage of a man and woman has enabled us to bring children into a stable setting and has established the family as the building block of our world. Yesterday, fewer than 200 individuals attempted to change this common understanding and strike a blow to this foundation.

The New Hampshire House, through the narrowest of margins, voted to establish same-sex marriage in New Hampshire. HB 436 deeply disappoints and concerns hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire citizens. The bill runs directly counter not simply to the teachings of the Catholic Church, but to the well-established and proven values of our civilization—values that are time tested and fully incorporated into our system of justice.

We speak not out of disrespect for any individual. Jesus taught respect for all peoples. This we fully believe and teach constantly. We speak for we are concerned that this sacred bond between a man and a woman could be so carelessly discarded.

I urge the New Hampshire Senate and Governor Lynch to act in accordance with what the majority of New Hampshire citizens rightly believe about marriage and ensure that HB 436 does not become law.

How to Take Action

• Contact your Senator today and ask your Senator to vote down HB 436 when it reaches the Senate floor. Click here to find contact information on NH senators .
• Contact Governor Lynch and ask him to make a public statement immediately that he will veto HB 436 if it passes the Senate. Click here for the Governor’s contact information .
• Talking points on same-sex marriage
• Click here for previous diocesan testimony from February 3, 2009 .
• Click here for USCCB FAQ on marriage and same-sex unions.