Rep. Vaillancourt on N.H. GOP’s ‘anti-gay sentiment’

Writing in his blog, state House Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R-Manchester) says last week’s vote by House Republicans opposing legislation that “would have to be termed pro-gay marriage” is a “sad indication” that GOP “animosity” to marriage equality continues.

Senate Bill 394 clarifies language recognizing out-of-state marriages, allows couples from other states that do not recognize marriage equality to marry in New Hampshire and changes the language to non-gender specific terms.

Following unanimous approval in the Senate, the House passed the measure by a 217-119 vote. “One needs to look at the party breakdown,” Vaillancourt writes, “to fully realize just how out of step New Hampshire Republicans remain on the issue” of marriage equality:

At the same time every single Democrat in the hall voted for the bill, all 182 of them, more than three out of four Republicans (77.3 percent; 35-119) voted against it. Included in Republican opposition were more than a few supposedly Libertarian (or freedom loving) Republicans whom one would have expected to vote for the bill. […]

All of Gene Chandler’s GOP leadership team and all House Republican Alliance leaders (Pam Tucker, Al Baldasaro, and Carol McGuire) voted against the bill, so there can be no doubt that the anti-gay sentiment still comes from the top of the New Hampshire Republican Party, at least in the House.

Does this mean we can expect the return of David Bates, former R-Windham, and an effort to repeal gay marriage next year?