New Hampshire Senate passes marriage bill

The New Hampshire state Senate narrowly passed a bill this afternoon that would extend marriage to gay and lesbian Granite Staters.

Lawmakers approved House Bill 436 by a 13-11 margin. The state Senate killed a bill that would have added gender identity and expression to New Hampshire's anti-discrimination statutes, but HB 436 returns to the House because the state Senate passed an amended version.

Popular incumbent Gov. John Lynch has stated he supports marriage between a man and a woman. He has failed, however, to indicate whether he plans to veto HB 436 into law. A number of sources have told Boy in Bushwick in recent weeks they suspect Lynch will allow the bill to become law without his signature, but the ball is certainly in his court.