Several New Hampshire state representatives demanded the repeal of last year's same-sex marriage law at a state house Judiciary Committee meeting held last week. The legislation legalizing same-sex marriage was enacted in July 2009 and became effective on Jan. 1.
Opponents of the legislation have argued that same-sex marriage contradicts natural law, the Concord Monitor reported.
"Same-sex marriage is antithetical to society," state Rep. Jordan Ulery, R-Hudson, said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
Although Ulery said he is not opposed to same-sex couples living together, he does not believe their relationship can be deemed a "marriage."
"Marriage is for the creation of a family," Ulery said.
At the appeal, same-sex couples stated that same-sex marriages do not infringe on the rights of others and may instead strengthen society, the Washington Post reported.
"Marriage is an incredible acknowledgement of our equality," openly gay state Rep. Ed Butler, D-Harts Location, said, The Post reported.
Butler's partner sat next to him during the proceedings, according to The Post.
"Please don't take [marriage] away after so shortly having given us the opportunity to feel the incredibly powerful stamp of access to that word," Butler added.
Ulery said he believes certain "elites" and special interest groups in New Hampshire's House of Representatives will prevent a repeal of the bill. Ulery added that he "trusts the people to know what's best."
Supporters of the repeal movement have argued that the state's citizens should be given the opportunity to vote on the measure, instead of enacting same-sex marriage through legislative means.
State Rep. John Knowles, D-Hudson, said he disagrees with Ulery's belief that same-sex marriage supporters are "elites," citing their diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
"To say that these are elites' who are doing this, is grasping at straws," Knowles said in an interview with The Dartmouth.
State Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, said he plans to discuss gay marriage at town meetings this spring to consider an eventual amendment to the state constitution.
According to Bates, neither Democrats nor Republicans considered public opinion in proposing this legislation, denying New Hampshire individuals the "opportunity to express their voice," he said in an interview.
The ongoing debate regarding same-sex marriage has not benefited either side, Bates said.
"For there to be peace in our society, we need to decide this issue once and for all," he added.
In 31 states where similar legislation has been put to a public vote, same-sex marriage has been rejected, the Concord Monitor reported.
Knowles said a public vote on same-sex marriage could result in the elimination of civil rights for a minority of citizens.
"Think of our history, when people didn't have rights because people said no," Knowles said. "Is that right?"
Bates estimated that petitions for a non-binding ballot initiative have been approved by 122 towns so far. Petitions require 10 to 25 signatures by town members to be put on the agenda, he said.
"If the ballot demonstrated that the people of New Hampshire are fine with it, there's certainly no reason for anyone who thinks otherwise to continue fighting it," Bates said.
A successful ballot initiative could merely indicate a slim majority, which would not be representative of a strong public sentiment, according to Knowles.
A Republican majority in the state house may increase the probability that legislators will repeal the bill legalizing same-sex marriage.
David Imamura '10, president of the New Hampshire College Democrats, said his organization will take action if there is any major development regarding the repeal.
"The odds of this bill actually passing are fairly small," he said. "I think Democrats will be able to hold the state house and senate. These issues are often brought up to divide people when other issues are just as important, if not more so."
