PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee said Thursday that he would likely veto any attempt to put same-sex marriage to a public vote, and said state lawmakers owe it to voters to decide the issue in the legislature.
Lincoln Chafee
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is scheduled to vote within weeks on legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry, however opponents of same-sex marriage have expressed their support for alternative legislation that would put the question before voters.
Same-sex marriage supporters say the issue is one of civil rights and shouldn’t be decided by a vote. Rhode Island is now the only state in New England without same-sex marriage.
White House spokesman Shin Inouye responded to the pending legislation, noting that President Barack Obama supports approval of the bill.
“While the President does not weigh in on every measure being considered by the states, he believes all couples should be treated fairly and equally, with dignity and respect,” said Inouye.
“As he has said, his personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so,” he said.
Chafee, an independent who supports marriage equality, signed a civil unions law in July 2011 with the promise that it would move Rhode Island closer to the ultimate goal of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Under an executive order signed by Chafee in May 2012, Rhode Island currently recognizes the marriages of gay and lesbian couples performed elsewhere.
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Happy to see Rhode Island is making baby steps
:poop:
PIG
Go with the flow, dude. It’s happening!
In the spirit of the concepts on which this country was founded, this is the right choice but only delays the inevitable.
His current term may turn out to be his LAST !!!
Boooooo
As far as I can understand, I think the governor is saying that lawmakers should make same sex marriage legal and same sex marriage should not be put to a popular vote…I think that is awesome!
Duh, equal rights shouldn’t be put to popular vote, haven’t we learned that already!
Whats that word i hear… that’s right unconstitutional.
Slackers, read the article. He supports marriAge equality and wants to make sure it doesn’t have to come to a popular vote.
Read! Read! Read!
The rest of you idiots chafing Chafee should actually read the damn article, even if it has a couple of typos – he’s on our side! Civil rights legislation should never be up to the poplar (“u” omitted intentionally) vote. If it were, we’d still have slavery.
Amen John … And extra credit for ‘chafing Chafee’…
You’re welcome!
Proud of you
Well done, Mr. Governor! And you hit the nail in the head John with your reference to slavery.
then tell the gov to stop vacationing at fire island
Of course, people can’t read!
Grazie, Gallo – I just adore alliteration and assonance.
You CAN’T, stop progress… but go ahead and try, douchebag!!
LOVE, YOUR COMMENT…. John Mattson!!!
R.E.A.D. The article before commenting…
Very smart man.
Okay, I admit, I was wrong…. didn’t read the whole article.
Still, LOVE John’s comment!
Go Rhode Island!!! I’m from Maine! We Won!
I’m right along with him and who says you got to leave it all up to the voters.
Go ahead Governor! Thank you for your forward thinking attitude!
MD Maine and Washington all put it up to a vote, and look at the outcome. :)
This is fantastic! :)
override his bigoted ass hateful veto
oops i misread it too. it should never come to a vote. constitutional rights are endowed by our creator.
Maybe he willl realize how many people diagree with him.
Shame!