This word just in from the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry, as the NH House of Representatives, in a “decisive” vote, followed the state senate’s lead, approving a bill aimed at securing religious liberties. The senate voted 14-10 earlier today in favor of House Bill 73; the house followed later in the afternoon, voting 198-176. HB 73, along with marriage equality bills, now goes to the desk of Governor John Lynch, where it is expected to be signed into law.

Per the release,

Grouped with two previous pieces of legislation advancing the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples, the bill’s passage was the last major procedural before the Governor is expected to sign all three bills into law.

“Today’s vote is in line with the majority of Granite Staters who support the freedom to marry,” said Mo Baxley, the executive director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. “The legislature has upheld the New Hampshire values of individual liberty, freedom and fairness.  We applaud the legislature for continuing to strongly safeguard religious freedom while making sure that all loving, committed couples have the freedom to marry.”

When Governor Lynch signs the marriage-related bills, New Hampshire will become the sixth state to recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Governor Lynch has indicated that he will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.

UPDATE: Per a Reuters report, Gov. Lynch is expected to sign the bill into law today at 5:15 p.m. EDT. That means, em, fifteen minutes ago.

Hooray!

The Human Rights Campaign offers an up-to-date tally concerning marriage equality across the country, after the jump.

Presently, five states recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective September 1, 2009), and Maine (effective September, 2009, pending a possible referendum). Of course, we all know about California, though the 18,000 pre-Prop. 8 marriages performed June-November of last year remain valid.

Additionally,

“Six states-California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada (effective October 1, 2009), and Washington (as of July 26, 2009, pending possible repeal effort)-plus Washington, D.C. provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Hawaii provides same-sex couples with limited rights and benefits.  New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples validly entered into outside of New York.  The New York legislature is considering marriage legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry in those states, and the D.C. Council has passed legislation that would recognize marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in other jurisdictions (that legislation is going through a Congressional review period).

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where marriage equality stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.”