Senate Same-Sex Marriage Hearing Draws A Crowd

Of the hot button social issues to pass the house this year, same sex marriage seems to engender the most passion; without a doubt it draws the biggest crowds.

"Somebody save me a seat because they are still not letting me in there.

By the time the hearing got underway, more than 500 people packed Representatives Hall; it didn’t take long for things to get rowdy. When lead sponsor Jim Splaine took more than the 3 minutes budgeted to each speaker,

"So Civil unions was just, was just....(boos)"

He was heckled -- a statehouse no-no that raised the ire

(Gavel noise)

of Judicary committee chair Deb Reynolds……..

"We are not going to have any outbursts. If we have outbursts like that, you will be ejected."

From that point forward, the outbursts were mainly cheers, and mostly tolerated. They came when supporters of same-sex marriage, like Amelia Dickinson of Concord, talked about wanting more rights for her gay sister:

"I just want her to have as much in life as I can. I just don't see how two people can have such different worlds because how our society is. So please vote yes, so me and my sister can both live happy lives together."

And they came when opponents like Peter Mehegan of Pembroke, argued that marriage between a man and woman is the foundation of civilization:

"A male and a female come together and represent the future, and through that, my friends, we have tomorrow. And I represent tomorrow, and that's what we have to think about."

For the Senators who must vote on this issue, there isn’t just tomorrow to think about, there’s also election day. The question of political consequences was raised head-on by a person accustomed to controversy, the Episcopal church's first openly-gay Bishop, Gene Robinson.

"I know and understand that some of you are worried about your next election, fearing that your doing the right thing now will cost you; it may. But not doing the right thing will also cost you, not just in your next election, but also in your soul’s self-respect. Some of you are worried about saving the Governor from having to make a tough decision -- I get the politics."

Foes of gay marriage also mentioned politics.

"This year has been a real eye-opener to many of us moms and dads."

Annemarie Banfield is from Bedford. She warned that if this bill passes, it will be at lawmakers’ own risk.

"That will send a clear message to parents in this state that those legislators who vote for this do not support the rights of parents."

And while the legislature has the power to decide this matter, Governor Lynch could also play a decisive role. Speaking to reporters as the hearing headed into its fifth hour, Lynch repeated several times that for him marriage means only one thing.

"I believe the word marriage is reserved for a marriage between a man and a woman."

The Governor went on to reiterate his support for civil unions, adding that he hopes Congress will take steps to give same sex couples in civil unions more rights.

"Right now, as I said, there are civil union couples that are not able to get all the rights under federal law, because they won’t recognize civil unions, so that's the next step."

-So is this a matter of religious conviction or politics?

"No, it’s not politics. It’s a matter of what I believe in – and what I believe in is that marriage is between a man and a woman."

Lynch declined to say if he’d veto the bill or let it become law should it reach his desk. The Governor will have some time to think about it……The very earliest it could be voted on by the full senate is April 23rd.