New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch today said he will sign a marriage equality bill if the state legislature makes minor changes to strengthen religious exemptions, a development that will make the state the sixth where same-sex couples can marry.  The bill, which has already passed in both chambers of the state legislature, will now be voted on again because of the amended language requested by Lynch, but advocates expect it to pass easily.

Today in New York, where a marriage equality bill awaits Senate action before it can be sent to Gov. David Paterson’s desk, Sen. Tom Duane, who is openly gay, said he expects a number of his Republican colleagues will vote for the measure, which would insure its passage.  The New York Daily News reported Duane made the following comments at New York’s City Hall today:

“I strongly believe we’re going to have the votes this year,” Duane said. “We’ll have the majority of Democratic senators voting in favor; we’re going to have several Republican senators voting in favor, I think.”

“I hope that soon we’ll hear from a Republican senator who will say they will vote for it publicly. I don’t want to take the joy of them announcing that away from them and announcing on their behalf. But once one does it will sort of break up the logjam, more will say they’re in favor. So I’m very very optimistic about passing marriage this year.”