The New Hampshire House gave its final approval to a bill to legalize same-sex marriage yesterday. But the measure's future remains uncertain, as Gov. John Lynch declined to say whether he would veto it.

Lynch, a Democrat, has said he thinks marriage should remain between one man and one woman. He offered little insight into his opinion of the bill, which has passed both the Senate and House in the past few weeks.

"I certainly have my own personal beliefs, which I have articulated in the past," Lynch told reporters yesterday. "And I have a responsibility as governor to do what I think is best for the people of New Hampshire. I will continue to talk with the Legislature and with the people of New Hampshire about that bill."

The bill makes a distinction between religious marriage and civil marriage and specifies that religious institutions are not required to perform marriages between same-sex couples.

Lynch's uncertain stance on the bill has been met with aggressive public lobbying campaigns from both sides of the issue. Cornerstone Policy Research, a Concord-based group that opposes same-sex marriage, and the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, which supports the bill, both began airing television commercials yesterday urging their supporters to call Lynch.

Cornerstone's ad focused on Lynch's numerous past statements against same-sex marriage. Lynch signed New Hampshire's civil union law two years ago, but he has repeatedly said he believes the word "marriage" should be reserved for heterosexual unions.

"I think he's been very clear on this issue," said Kevin Smith, Cornerstone's director. "To us, it comes down to keeping your word. I'd like to think that in New Hampshire, your word means something."

The ad by Freedom to Marry described same-sex marriage as a matter of equality.

"Call our governor and tell him to support civil marriage for all Granite Staters," the ad said.

The governor's office was inundated with phone calls yesterday. Lynch's receptionist tallied the results on yellow Post-it notes, with few pauses of silence between the calls.

"The phone lines are basically jammed," Lynch said. "People can't even get through."

But Lynch said the barrage of calls would have no effect on his decision.

"I'm not going to be guided by the number of calls that come into my office," he said. "Ultimately, my decision will be guided by what I think will be best for the people of New Hampshire."

Lynch has three options: He can veto the bill, he can sign it into law, or he can allow it to become law without his signature. Whatever path he chooses, Lynch's response will test his reputation for political moderation, according to people who have watched the process.

"Lynch's natural inclination is to build consensus, but this is one of those issues that defies consensus," said Dean Spiliotes, a political scientist and blogger. "He can't really split the difference on this."

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