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New Hampshire passes gay marriage New Hampshire passes gay marriage
(20 minutes later)
Both houses of the US New Hampshire legislature have approved a bill allowing gay marriage in the state.Both houses of the US New Hampshire legislature have approved a bill allowing gay marriage in the state.
If, as expected, the bill is approved by the state's governor, John Lynch, New Hampshire will become the sixth US state to permit same-sex marriage.If, as expected, the bill is approved by the state's governor, John Lynch, New Hampshire will become the sixth US state to permit same-sex marriage.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Iowa already allow it.Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Iowa already allow it.
An earlier bill was rejected by the state's House of Representatives after Governor Lynch added protections for religious groups.An earlier bill was rejected by the state's House of Representatives after Governor Lynch added protections for religious groups.
Momentum
Gay marriage is a controversial issue in the US.
Many states have passed laws banning it.
But in north-eastern US states, support for gay marriage has recently begun to gain momentum.
After a 2003 court ruling, gay marriage became legal in New Hampshire's neighbouring state of Massachusetts.
A court ruling was also the trigger for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Connecticut.
But in the other New England states of Vermont and Maine, gay marriage was legalised after bills were passed in the states' legislatures.
Legislation to allow same-sex marriage is currently being considered in New York and New Jersey.