Thursday, May 2, 2013
A bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed 56-15 on May 2.
Sixteen years after legislation was initially introduced in Rhode Island, same-sex marriage is now legal in the Ocean State. On Thursday afternoon, May 2, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the legislation with a vote of 56-15. "This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens," said House Speaker Gordon Fox, the first openly gay House Speaker in the nation who has cosponsored the legislation every year. "It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
With the Senate's approval, the bill now goes back to the House for approval, then to Gov. Lincoln Chafee for his signature.
In a 26-12 vote, the Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the state, the last in New England to approve such a measure. The House of Representatives voted 51-19 on Jan. 25 to approve that chamber's version of the bill. Should the House pass the Senate version, the legislation would go to Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has pledged his support. Bristol's delegation split 2-1, with Sen. Walter Felag Jr. (D-Bristol, Tiverton, Warren) opposing the bill and Sens. Christopher Ottiano (R-Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and David Bates (R-Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) voting in favor. [In two ceremonial measures, the Senate also approved the House bill, 26-12, and sent its bill to the House for …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Rhode Island GOP Caucus, including Sen. Christopher Ottiano, becomes the first state group in the nation to stand united for marriage equality.
All five Republicans in the 38-member Rhode Island Senate, including Sen. Christopher Ottiano of Bristol, Portsmouth, and Tiverton, have committed to support the same-sex marriage bill being voted on today by the State Senate Judiciary Committee. On Tuesday morning, the Rhode Island Senate Republican Caucus announced its support for a bill that would grant marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, becoming the first unanimous decision by a legislative caucus of either party in the nation to back marriage equality legislation. The State Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by a 7-4 vote today. “This is a game changer,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “Never before has an entire …
The RI Senate Judiciary Committee votes 7-4 to move marriage-equality legislation to the full Senate on Wednesday.
The full RI Senate will vote on the same-sex marriage bill tomorrow afternoon after it was sent to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee today, April 23. The vote was 7-4, according to the Providence Journal. The committee rejected, by a 6-5 vote, a bill that would have put the marriage-equality legislation before Rhode Island voters in a referendum next year. The victory on Tuesday gives gay marriage supporters much hope in a debate that has been fierce at times. Dozens of same-sex marriage supporters packed the third floor State House hearing room and the hallway outside, according to the newspaper. Voting for the bill were Sens. William Conley D-East Providence; Stephen Archambault, D-Smithfield; Dawson T. Hodgson, R-North …
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Bristol and Warren delegation voted 2-1 in favor of the marriage equality bill, which now goes to the Senate.
Rhode Island moved one step closer to marriage equality Thursday as the state House of Representatives voted 51-19 to allow same-sex couples to marry in the state, the Legislature announced in a release. Among the Bristol and Warren delegation, Rep. Jan Malik (D-Dist. 67) voted against the measure, while Reps. Kenneth Marshall (D-Dist. 68) and Raymond Gallison (D-Dist. 69) cast 'yes' votes. Rep. Arthur Handy of Cranston, who has introduced the bill for each of the last 11 years, said the proposal is about justice and equity for same-sex couples. “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 …
41.82924
-71.415529
2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
RI State House
/articles/house-approves-same-sex-marriage-b9990f4a
/locations/8677161
Monday, January 21, 2013
The state House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on the controversial measure for 3 pm on Jan. 22.
A vote by the State House Judiciary committee on a bill allowing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is scheduled for a vote tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m., the General Assembly Press Bureau announced. The "Equal Access to Marriage" bill — submitted in the House by Cranston Rep. Arthur Handy and co-sponsored by Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) — would make Rhode Island the last state in New England to allow same-sex marriages, and would recognize any civil unions as marriages. According to a release from the General Assembly Press Bureau, "no further testimony will be taken at this hearing." The agenda for today's hearing is attached to this article. What's your take? Is it about time the government stops discriminating…
41.82924
-71.415529
2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
/articles/vote-set-for-tuesday-on-same-sex-marriage
/locations/8650385
Monday, January 7, 2013
A Cranston legislator has submitted a bill in the state General Assembly to approve marriage for same-sex couples — and we're looking for your feedback.
Rhode Island now remains the only state in New England that forbids same-sex marriage — but that soon could change if the General Assembly votes to approve new legislation. On Jan. 3, legislation to allow same-gender couples to marry in Rhode Island was introduced in both the Rhode Island House and Senate, with a pledge from House Speaker Gordon Fox for a floor vote early in the session. Fox, the first co-sponsor of the House bill, is openly gay. The legislation has broad support, with 42 members of the House signing on as sponsors and 11 members of the Senate. Among the Bristol and Warren delegations to the Assembly, Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) and Sen. Christopher Scott Ottiano (R-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, …
41.82924
-71.415529
2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
/articles/same-sex-marriage-proposed-will-it-pass-this-time
/locations/8525149
bustopher1
10:27 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
I guess there is something to be said for consistancy, but sorry Jan Malik - Your neanderthal ways and beliefs did NOT win the day. You have been a knuckle dragging opponent of this bill since day one regardless of the wishes of those you claim to represent. Time, I think, for you to see the handwriting on the wall and go back to running the dump and the liquor store. You no longer represent the … more ›