New Hampshire is one of five states to have legalized gay marriage. Two men getting married in Portsmouth on Saturday wanted to publish a marriage notice in the Union Leader of Manchester but were refused.
The newspaper says it has a constitutional right to choose what to print and opposes the new law. Publisher Joe McQuaid says the paper isn't anti-gay but believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
Democratic Senate candidate Paul Hodes (HOHDZ') called on the paper to change its policy and respect the state law. He challenged Republican opponent Kelly Ayotte (AY'-aht) to denounce its decision.
An Ayotte spokesman says government officials have no business telling a free press what to do.