New Hampshire Panel: Kill Gay Marriage and Trans Rights Bills | News | Advocate.com

New Hampshire Panel: Kill Gay Marriage and Trans Rights Bills  | News | Advocate.com

New Hampshire Panel: Kill Gay Marriage and Trans Rights Bills
By Julie Bolcer

The New Hampshire state senate judiciary committee recommended on Thursday that the full senate reject bills that would legalize same-sex civil marriage and expand anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals.

While the votes do not bind the full senate, they make it unlikely that either bill will be revived on the floor next week, reports the Union Leader.

The committee split its vote, 3-2, on the same-sex marriage bill, with chairperson Deborah Reynolds, a Democrat, joining two Republicans who opposed the measure. Reynolds said that she did not believe New Hampshire was ready for same-sex marriage, according to the Associated Press. Last month, the bill passed the house by a vote of 186-179.

The committee voted 5-0 to recommend that the full senate kill the transgender rights bill. The bill would add the term "gender identity or expression" to state anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws. Opponents argued that the bill would open public restrooms to use by either sex. The bill passed the house last month by a vote of 188-187.

On Tuesday, former governor and current state Republican party chairman John Sununu referred to both bills as "garbage."