The impact of the Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision on the constitutionalty of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will extend far beyond the equal protection aspects of the law and how this constitutional guarantee is applied to all members of
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 …
In this Article:
One Portsmouth wedding location sees the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island as a boost for business.
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 Thursday, 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. “We are long overdue. Rhode Island, the colony founded on the principle of personal liberty, is now the only New England state that doesn’t allow same-gender couples equal …
In this Article:
11:04 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
"There were very few group differences between the kids who had been brought up by same- or opposite-sex parents," says Patterson, who conducted the research with students Jennifer Wainright and Stephen Russell, PhD, now an associate professor of sociology at the University of Arizona. One group difference that Patterson was surprised to find: Children of gay and lesbian parents reported closer … more ›
Critics call the Rhode Island civil unions bill 'a slap in the face,' 'discriminatory' and 'the most unequal civil unions law' in America.
Rhode Islanders who would be elated to see gay marriage recognized in this state are highly critical of a civil unions bill approved by the Rhode Island Senate Wednesday night. Several people contacted Wednesday night say the bill now being sent to Gov. Lincoln Chafee is discriminatory and unfair. 'Most unequal law in the States' Sarah Jane Correia grew up in Tiverton, RI, got married and moved overseas because Rhode Island, like most U.S. states, does not recognize a marriage between same-sex partners. She wants to live in the U.S. but, unable to obtain a spousal visa for her British wife of the past five years, the couple left the country. Together, they are raising her infant son in England. Correia is back stateside this week, visiting…
2:22 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Supreme Court ruled on the matter of "separate but equal" in the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education. The court recognized that "separate but equal" opportunities created a feeling of inferiority for the minorities being segregated, and that this feeling of segregation could cause permanent emotional injury. It was the feeling of segregation and therefore inferiority that caused the court … more ›
Dan Johnson
1:49 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Treating gay people equally under the laws currently in effect for straight people does not alter what marriage is for straight people. It only expands who can participate. Denial of equality provides nothing to straight couples. It only harms same sex couple families needlessly. "In the court’s final analysis, the government’s only basis for supporting DOMA comes down to an apparent belief that … more ›