"Today we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear they will receive the same rights, responsibilities, and respect under New Hampshire law," said Lynch.

The New Hampshire House voted 198-176 in favor of marriage equality, while the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 to do the same.

New Hampshire follows Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine as states who have legalized same-sex marriage and New Hampshire gay couples will be able to start marrying January 1, 2010.

Last update: 06-04-2009 14:07