House Approves Same-Sex Marriage
The proposal to guarantee marriage rights to all Rhode Islanders now moves onto the state Senate.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 51 to 19 today to allow same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island, the Legislature announced in a release.
Rep. Robert Craven, Sr. (D – North Kingstown) voted in favor while Rep. Doreen Costa (R – North Kingstown, Exeter) voted against it.
The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Arthur Handy, who has introduced the bill for each of the last 11 years, said the measure is about justice and equity for same-sex couples, but is also emotional and personal for so many who have worked for years for marriage equality.
“Obviously, this issue is about fairness and allowing all Rhode Islanders to have equal access to the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage, but marriage is about so much more than legal protections," Handy said in a release. "My wife and I have been married since 1997, and as we’ve worked together to raise our son, the value of having a committed, strong family has become more apparent to us over time. All Rhode Islanders deserve to enjoy that security and support, and deserve to have their family recognized as equal to others.
"It feels good to see how far we’ve come in Rhode Island toward valuing all families, and I know we are close to the day when marriage equality becomes law here,” the Cranston representative added.
Forty-two of the 75 House members sponsored the bill, and the House Judiciary Committee approved it unanimously. The Seante is the final hurdle as Gov. Lincoln Chafee has pledged to sign it if the Senate approves it as well, the Statehouse release states.
The bill removes gender-specific language from the section of the general laws that governs eligibility for marriage. It inserts language that allows any person to marry any other eligible person, regardless of gender, effective immediately upon adoption of the bill.
It contains a provision that allows couples who entered into civil unions in Rhode Island to convert those unions to marriages, and automatically converts all remaining civil unions that have not been dissolved by Jan. 1, 2014, into marriages on that date.
The bill reiterates the right of religious institutions to set their own guidelines for marriage eligibility within their faith.
Rhode Island is the only New England state that does not allow same-sex marriage. Currently nine states and Washington, D.C., allow same-sex couples to marry.
In September, a WPRI poll of 501 likely voters in Rhode Island found that 56 percent of Rhode Islanders support same-gender marriage, and only 36 percent oppose it.
Alicarn
7:01 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Yay! Almost there! Write to your state Senators, make sure they're on board with this important civil rights legislation! Here's the link to find your senator: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/Default.aspx
NK Parent
7:28 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Of course Costa wouldn't support this measure ... she's too busy coming up with her next Christmas Tree bill.
NK VOTER
7:50 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Costa continues to be an embarrassment to the people of NK and Exeter. How she got re-elected a second time is beyond me.
Dont look at me I didn't vote for her either time.
Politics Sheriff of NK
8:13 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
I support Doreen who is a quality person who is HERSELF, unlike her anonymous detractors here who are actually spouting over sour grapes because she doesnt play along with the dirt in the NKGOP, which is the real issue.
We R NK
8:53 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thank you Doreen, finally someone who will stand for something rather than fall for anything. Look around folks we have finally approached the slippery slope!
Dan Johnson
3:35 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
There is no reason to believe treating same sex couples equally under the laws currently in effect would require changing those laws to something else. More of the same does not require something different. Your slippery slope is an empty, unsupportable fear, used to justify refusing to treat others as you would yourself under the law. It fails the test of logic.
Mike
9:08 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
As a NK resident, and a resident of Representative District #31, I wish going into her 3rd year in the House of Representatives, that Doreen Costa would at least get her first bill past, good or bad. I feel, as do many others that I talk to, that we here in Rep, District #31 almost have no one representing us. To be in office for two (2) full years, now going on your third (3), and NOT to have one (1) bill passed where you (Doreen Costa), were the primary sponsor, well, lets just say that it falls a little short of expectations. And that is being kind
Politics Sheriff of NK
11:01 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
There are a HANDFUL of republicans in the RI House and Senate. Barely ANY. Their value is that there is another message besides the one-party line. Thank GOD there are at LEAST some. That Doreen has been elected and re-elected speaks volumes to her genuine nature. People like her and want her to be up in Providence giving the General Assembly another viewpoint. Everybody here knows I really despise the NK Republicans and for all the good reasons, but not Doreen. She is A-OK in my book and the majority of voters!
Govstench
9:24 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Doreen was spot on with her vote against this bill. Unfortunately, Craven has started off his term on the wrong foot with his vote. Rep. "Doc” Corvese, picked off four important points why this bill has dangerous undertones to society. While those in favor feel there is a difference between religious vs civil marriages, there is an impact on the children of same sex partners. He is also correct that those groups, especially the ACLU will use this bill to undermine the structures of marriage in law. Hopefully, the Senate will take a much more serious stance and block this bill, for the sake of the majority of Rhode Islanders. At least there are 19 members of the House who value tradition values!
Dan Johnson
3:21 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
You provide no legitimate governmental interest sufficinte for denial of equal treatment under the law as required by the constitution. A tradition of harming others through denial of equal treatment fails as a legitimate interest sufficient for continuing that harm and mistreatment.
The impact on the children of same sex couples is needless harm. Denial of legal equality provides no benefit to opposite sex couples, while denial of equality only stigmatizes and harms same sex couples and their families.
Politics Sheriff of NK
11:05 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Gov, with all due respect, if two adult residents of RI choose to associate with each other in any particular way, why should the state discriminate against them? Also, some people are born gender unidentified. Your side of the debate would leave them out of marriage altogether? What about Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? You are FOR the 2nd Amendment but NOT those other words in the Constitution? And if it really bothers you, gays represent a few percent of the population. Really, nothing will change except a handful of people will be able to join the rest of the adult population in living how they choose, (at zero detriment to anyone else). Let it go, man!
Politics Sheriff of NK
11:11 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
By the way "mike" want to see some class? This is Doreen's statement on FB on the matter:
"Now that the Gay marriage debate is over and passed in the house we can try to focus on moving forward. If you are for or against this legislation it did pass. Everyone involved we can all wish them the best. I have many gay friends that I adore and I honestly do wish them all the best! With that said.. Let's get some help over to the DLT, lets get some people back to work.. let's get our state out of last place in everything! Have a great night everyone!"
Politics Sheriff of NK
11:12 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
And THAT is why she was re-elected.
Alicarn
10:00 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
To those who oppose gay marriage (ugh, I hate that term - it's just marriage) I always like to ask a question. When did they decide that they were straight?
Usually they can't answer and that's when I remind them that there really is no choice, that you are born straight or you are born gay, period.
I don't think anyone would chose to be gay; to choose to be harassed, preyed upon and discriminated against. Why would you choose to go through life knowing that you would find discrimination EVERYWHERE you go? Family, school, church, jobs, etc..
Our own government has told people it's okay to hate those who are gay.
We are ALL EQUAL and the closed minded legislators across our country will be waking up and doing what is right. EVERY little girl or boy needs to know that when they grow up and fall in love and choose to marry - that they can, regardless of their sexual preference.
The majority should never be allowed to vote on the rights of the minority. Equality for all.
Dan Johnson
3:29 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Evidence exists both through clinical studies as well as through the personal testimony of millions of gay and straight people around the world who will testify they have no choice over to whom they are emotionally, romantically, and physically attracted. Bisexual people sometimes confuse the issue as it takes some of them a long time to realize that while they experience attractions to some members of both sexes, they have no choice over being attracted. Like gay and straight people, they only have a choice of whether to act on their attractions.
Ironically, much of the research showing orientation is not a choice, comes from efforts to change it. Not only have such efforts shown efforts to change orientation are not successful, but that they are often harmful to the point of self destructive behavior including suicide.
"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Judith M. Glassgold, PsyD, chair of the task force. (APA)
Don Thela
5:18 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
OK OK OK so Fox can get married, now can we finally get back to the REAL elephant in the room? IT'S THE ECONOMY AND STATE OF THIS STATE!
Don Thela
4:31 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Amazing! All this yabba dabba about gay rights and it's a mute point! Gays as well as straights are leaving this state in droves, because of the ECONOMIC conditions in this state. As far as people re-electing Costa, Maybe her constituents Believe the old adage that if you are crazy if you keep doing things over and over the same, and expecting a different result! Keep voting the same people into office in this state because you are too stupid and can only hit one lever on election day is crazy! Get over the gay rights crap and take care of the STATE OF THE STATE!
Don Thela
4:37 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
What we need in the state are representatives with the balls to get rid of all these commissions to study things and all the so-called quasi-governmental with open ended credit card, and get some with some business ability and common sense. I for one am tired of the freeloaders lined up to the teats of the taxpayers, while the status quo on the hill write checks on my accounts.