Associated Press - May 5, 2009 1:05 PM ET

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A gay marriage proposal has taken another step forward in the New Hampshire Legislature.

A House committee endorsed a proposal Tuesday that's already been approved in the Senate. The bill comes up for a vote in the House on Wednesday. It distinguishes between civil and religious marriage and says any two individuals have a right to a civil marriage. The proposal leaves it up to each religion whether to recognize and officiate over same-sex marriages.

Gov. John Lynch has said he believes marriage is a word that should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman, but has not said he would veto a gay marriage bill. Since last week's Senate vote, his office has been inundated with thousands of calls, e-mails and mail from both sides of the emotional issue.

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