The New Hampshire Senate is voting Wednesday on legislation to make the Granite State the fifth to allow same sex marriage.
The Senate Judiciary Committee recommends killing the bill, which narrowly passed the House.
Supporters argue that same sex marriage is a civil rights issue and that excluding gays is discriminatory.
Opponents counter that marriage is a sacred religious institution that would be cheapened by allowing gays to marry.
Gov. John Lynch says the word "marriage" should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman but has not said specifically whether he would veto the bill.
A hearing on the bill drew 500 people to the Statehouse earlier this month.