CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Union Leader of Manchester is defending its decision to refuse to publish marriage notices for gay couples after one couple getting married yesterday tried to include their announcement.
Publisher Joe McQuaid said the paper is not “anti-gay,’’ but is opposed to a gay marriage law.
“While the law sanctions gay marriage, it neither demands that churches perform them or that our First Amendment right to choose what we print be suspended,’’ McQuaid said. “We continue our longstanding policy of printing letters to the editor from New Hampshire citizens, whether or not they agree with us.’’
Greg Gould, of New York, wanted to return to his home state to get married. When he submitted the notice, Gould was told it could not be published.
“In a lot of ways, it seems they’re out of touch,’’ said Gould, 42, an investor who married Aurelio Tine, 33, a contractor.
“When you publish a wedding announcement, it’s not as if the newspaper sanctions it — it’s just news,’’ said Gould. “If they didn’t want to report on all the things they didn’t like, then they wouldn’t report on murder, and war and government.’’
