by Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer

Three weeks after New Hampshire legalized Gay marriage, opponents are pressing lawmakers to limit marriage to heterosexual unions by repealing the law granting marital status to same-sex couples.

On January 20, supporters of Gay marriage pleaded with the House Judiciary Committee not to listen to those who would repeal the law, or to those who want to change the New Hampshire State Constitution to ban same-sex unions. The committee was holding hearings on the two measures, which the House is expected to reject when they are brought to the floor in the next few weeks.

Gay marriage opponents argued the unions defy nature since same-gender couples can't reproduce.

"I'm here today about Adam and Eve," New Hampshire State Rep. Alfred Baldasaro told the House Judiciary Committee. Baldasaro, a Republican, is the prime sponsor of the legislation that would repeal the Gay marriage law.

"A man and a woman together create a family, where individuals of the same gender cannot create a family," said State Rep. Jordan Ulery, a Republican.

Gay couples countered their marriages hurt no one and strengthen society.

"Marriage is an incredible acknowledgement of our equality. Please don't take it away after so shortly having given us the opportunity to feel the incredibly powerful stamp of access to that word. Marriage is a powerful word," said State Rep. Ed Butler, a Democrat whose partner sat next to him at the witness table.

In recent weeks, opponents began a grassroots effort to challenge the law indirectly by suggesting New Hampshire's 400 house members and 24 senators aren't representative of the people's wishes. They point out that in the 31 states where voters have had a say, Gay marriage was rejected.

This spring, the grassroots effort will increase as they plan to raise the issue at town hall meetings. They hope to pressure lawmakers to present them with an amendment that defines marriage. In addition, they hope their effort will help elect anti-Gay marriage candidates in November.

State Rep. David Bates, a Republican, is organizing the petition effort to put Gay marriage before town voters. Bates says that as of January 19, petitions have been certified in 108 towns. He expects petitions to be completed by the February 2 deadline in about 150 of New Hampshire's more than 200 towns that hold meetings each spring. Petitions must be signed by 25 registered voters in the town to be put on the agenda.

To answer those who argue the public should have a say by voting, Jason Wu, staff attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, and other Gay marriage advocates argue the size of New Hampshire's Legislature makes it one of the most representative democratic bodies in the world. "New Hampshire realizes it is just wrong to vote on people's rights," Wu said.

In fact, Wu says a ballot amendment would make the state a battlefield similar to other states where groups outside of New Hampshire spend millions of dollars.

New Hampshire's law legalizing Gay marriage took effect January 1. New Hampshire joined Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont in allowing same-sex marriage.

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