A gay marriage bill will be introduced in the state of Rhode Island Thursday, the final day bills may be introduced. Last year Rhode Island passed a civil unions bill into law, but the marriage equality bill fell short of support amidst several poison pill amendment attempts. Governor Chafee has indicated he would sign a same-sex marriage bill.
“We’re absolutely coming back with a marriage bill this year,” Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) executive director Ray Sullivan told reporters yesterday. “A lot of politicians would prefer that we just go away and not continue to push this issue, but we will not go away until we see the Governor sign this bill into law.”
Sullivan adds that “The majority of Rhode islanders are on our side on this issue,” reports GoLocalProv.
States are trying to capitalize on the momentum generated with a positive ruling against California’s Prop 8. New Jersey tomorrow is expected to pass a marriage bill and see it to Governor Christie, who has promised a swift veto. And Monday, Washington’s Governor signed a marriage equality bill into law. Maryland, which had a positive committee vote on Friday, is expected to vote Thursday on a marriage bill also.
In early 2009, it was hoped seven New England states would pass marriage equality bills into law. Currently, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York (though technically not New England) offer marriage equality to their citizens.
Stay tuned.
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