Rhode Island’s openly gay House speaker said Wednesday that legislation to legalize same-sex marriage is dead for the year, because it’s clear the bill won’t overcome opposition in the state Senate.
House Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Providence), a leading supporter of the gay marriage bill, said in an email that he “will recommend that the House not move forward with a vote on the marriage equality bill during this legislative session,” and that he will instead support a civil unions bill.
“I have had conversations with Senate leadership and, unlike the marriage equality bill, I am optimistic that a civil unions’ bill can gain passage in both chambers during this legislative session,” Fox wrote.
“The new civil union bill is currently being drafted and will soon be ready for introduction and public inspection. I will be one of the sponsors.
“Because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed by Congress in 1996, the federal government does not recognize same sex marriages and therefore federal rights are not granted to same sex couples who get married in states that allow it.”
Reaction to Fox’s announcement has been swift and critical.
“Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox has made a serious miscalculation,” said Freedom to Marry’s National Campaign Director, Marc Solomon, in a statement.
“With support for the freedom to marry topping 60 percent — higher than in any other state in the country — and with a strongly supportive governor, the Rhode Island House should send a marriage bill — and nothing less — to the Senate now,” Solomon said.
“Nothing short of marriage is equality for Rhode Island’s gay and lesbian citizens and their children,” said Karen Loewy, an attorney for the Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, in a statement.
“By citing DOMA, Speaker Fox lets the federal government set the standard for discrimination and sells out the gay community for the sake of political expediency. DOMA’s days are numbered as it comes under increasing legal and political attack,” Loewy said.
Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed’s opposition to the marriage equality bill was seen as a key obstacle to its passage. In a statement to reporters, she said she supports civil union legislation and is confident it will pass.
Filed under: Rhode Island
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“Consolation.”
all the hateful religious nutbags and catholics up there! LOL surprise they would even give “civil union” as consolation!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! sssssssssssssssssssssssssss!
Yeah, I don’t feel very consoled by my domestic partnership… Hmmm…
I don’t want a separate and not equal civil union. I want a marriage. Stand for what is right and for your community Speaker Fox. Marriage equality or nothing.
America…so free and democratic…MY ASS!!
its only dead if you let it die, mr. fox
Don’t give up. It wasn’t until the late 60s-early 70s that blacks and whites were “allowed” to marry. Faith and persistence.
This sort of inaction results in just that…inaction. Don’t fight for a bill just to abandon it when the going gets tough.
Politicans decided to take on this bill the year before election. It drew in more votes. After the election, they didn’t care. I have a cure for this — don’t vote for incumbents.
That’s a step down though >:(
civil union is better than nothing at all …
Its better than nothing, though, I’m still not going to settle.
mmm Gay marriage will be legal someday and when it is ILL get married to my sweetheart <3
It’s a stab at something, the war will continue to wage though. We won’t losse ^^
Either way a Civil Union partnership becoming legal is a step forward. Black americans did not receive equality immediately. But I also agree anything other than marriage is not equality for us. But little steps get us through the door.
Same-sex enthusiasts spend a life-time lying to themselves, so it should come as no surprise that they would lie about the percentage of support they enjoy.