Washington, DC – Interfaith Alliance President Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy issued the following statement in response to the legalization of same-gender marriage in New Hampshire:

New Hampshire’s decision to legalize same-gender marriage continues a growing momentum in support of this issue. More and more people are coming to recognize that government support for same-gender marriage is “a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law.” Expanding civil rights and respecting individual freedom for all persons pulsate at the heart of American democracy.

Given our nation’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom, nothing in today’s action will deprive anyone of the right to practice the teachings of their respective religious institutions. But the state of New Hampshire will treat all citizens fairly. Members of the GLBT community in New Hampshire no longer will be denied access to the right to marry based on a civil prohibition shaped by some people’s religious convictions.


Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.