Opponents of gay marriage at a Thursday
hearing in New Hampshire said they fear the institution because it
leads to disease and polygamy.
Supporters
of the state's year-old gay marriage law greatly outnumbered
opponents during a hearing to consider two bills that aim to end the
institution in the state.
According to the Nashua Telegraph,
45 people signed up in support of the bills and 545 opposed them.
One gay marriage foe told lawmakers
that he was intimidated by the hundreds who showed up wearing red in
support of the law.
“Many people were intimidated to come
here,” the speaker said. “And by the way, for all of you dressed
in red, you are very intimidating. Even to a man like me. And
honestly I only have a fear of God more than I have a fear of man.”
Republican Senator Fenton Groen alleged
that gay unions “significantly increase” the risk of “serious
diseases” and “can be expected to significantly shorten” the
lives of gay people.
Representative Alfred Baldasaro, who
has previously likened gay marriage to polygamy and incest, repeated
his claims. (The video provided by The
Wonk Room is embedded in the right panel of this page.)
During a 2010 hearing, the Republican
said: “What about [laws] being disrespectful to sister-sister that
love each other, sister-brother, sister-mom, incest, it's in there.
Aren't we discriminating against all of them? What about the Muslims,
now? Everyone's praising the Muslims that are killing us. What
about them? They want three, four wives ...”