After 30 minutes of discussion, Deerfield, N.H., residents nixed voting on a proposed state constitutional definition of marriage. The nonbinding referendum was submitted by the pastor of a local church and may appear on the slate in other towns on March 9, New Hampshire's Town Meeting Day. But in Deerfield, residents voted 92-28 to strike all but two words from the amendment, effectively killing it.
"It's clearly a statewide, divisive end-around to try to impose individuals' religious and moral views on others," said Jim Deely, the Deerfield resident who made the motion that ended the issue for Deerfield.
On June 3, 2009, the New Hampshire legislature passed a marriage equality law, which was signed by Governor John Lynch. Same-sex couples began marrying in New Hampshire on January 1, 2010.
For more information and to get involved, visit the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition.
