PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island may be poised to become the next state to legalize same-sex marriage as bills were introduced Thursday in the state’s House and Senate chambers aimed at doing just that.
The move comes just two days after Governor Lincoln Chafee, in his inaugural address, called on legislators to swiftly legalize same-sex marriage, so that Rhode Island could “catch up to her New England neighbors.’’
The two bills, reintroduced in the House by Rep. Arthur Handy, and in the Senate by Sen. Rhoda Perry, call for legalizing “civil marriage” between people of the same gender, while specifying that no religious institution would be required to marry same-sex couples if it goes against its teachings.
The House bill was co-signed by 29 lawmakers, including House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, who is openly gay. Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed (D) opposes gay marriage, but her spokesman said she won’t block a vote on the legislation.
Efforts to legalize gay marriage in Rhode Island have been introduced several times in recent years, but failed due to opposition from former Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, a Republican, and previous legislative leaders.
Filed under: Rhode Island
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I hope they do I want to go see my friend parents get married they are such a good couple
Im from ri thatd b great
^___^
I hope they legalize gay marriage there!! it’s a start!
They need to start legalizeing GAY marrige in more States because people should have the right to marry who they want.
Why did you capitalize the word gay, Hannah?
Because usualy people capitalize it… I dunno.
Also it’s an important word.
I just think they should call it marriage and be done with the whole thing.
All 50 states should “legalize”same sex marriage/civil unions…..and just from that gesture alone…NO MORE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS !!!!Everyone will finally be…FREE !!To be…YOU and ME !!!!And also …a truly “UNITED”States of America.