AP: NH panel recommends against gay marriage repeal

CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire House committee is recommending against repealing the state’s five-week-old gay marriage law.

The Judiciary Committee also voted Tuesday to recommend that the House kill a proposed constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The vote was 12-8 on both measures, led by Democratic opposition.

Opponents of gay marriage know their chance of success on such measures is slim, but they want to keep the issue before voters in hopes that Republicans will regain control of the Statehouse in November and then ban gay marriage.

The House could act on the recommendations next week.

New Hampshire became the fifth state to legalize gay marriage Jan. 1. It is also legal in Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut and Vermont.

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