An effort to repeal New Hampshire's
year-old gay marriage law has been shelved, the AP reported.
The House Judiciary Committee
considering two bills that would repeal the law voted unanimously on
Thursday to hold off on the legislation.
At a recent hearing on the bills, a
large majority of the six hundred people in attendance opposed repeal
of the law.
Republican leaders had urged the
committee to shelve the bills until next year, insisting social
issues must take a back seat to the state's fiscal crisis.
The committee voted without debate to
hold onto the bills until next year's session.
Opponents
of the law testified at the hearing that they fear the institution
because it leads to disease and polygamy.
One speaker chided supporters, who were
dressed in red, for their aggressive turnout: “Many people were
intimidated to come here. And by the way, for all of you dressed in
red, you are very intimidating. Even to a man like me. And honesty
I only have a fear of God more than a fear of man.”
The law, which marked its first
anniversary on January 1, was signed by Governor John Lynch, who has
vowed to veto any repeal attempt. Republicans, however, gained
veto-proof majorities in both chambers on November 2.