rhode island

...now browsing by category

 

RI: Three Candidates for Governor Publicly Support Gay Marriage

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Three major candidates running for governor of Rhode Island have promised to support and sign a bill allowing gay marriage if elected. General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Attorney General Patrick Lynch, both Democrats, and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who is running in November as an independent, made the pledge at a Statehouse rally on Wednesday before more than 200 people.

Moderate Party candicate Ken Block said through a spokeswoman that he also supports gay marriage.

Proponents of gay marriage believe the state is closer to approving the measure since Republican Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR’-ee), a social conservative and gay marriage opponent, can’t run again because of term limits.

Full Story from CT Now
Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in candidates, Gay Marriage, governor, marriage equality, rhode island, ri, same sex marriage | No Responses »

RI: First Gay House Speaker Elected

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Gordon D. Fox was elected the state’s first openly gay House Speaker on Thursday, the Providence Journal reported. Fox was widely considered the front-runner in a three man race that included Representative Gregory Schadone, a Democrat from North Providence, and Robert Watson, a Republican from East Greenwich. Fox received the support of nearly three-quarters of the chamber’s members.

In an interview with the paper last fall, Fox, who came out publicly in 2004, said he is “in a long-term relationship, but not officially married,” and when he does marry, he would like to do it in his home state. Fox’s ascension is likely to help make that a reality.

Rhode Island is the only New England state that has not legalized gay marriage. Last year, Maine lawmakers approved a gay marriage bill, but opponents successfully repealed the law after a difficult fight that drew national attention to the state.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in gay, Gay Marriage, Gordon D. Fox, house speaker, marriage equality, rhode island, ri, same sex marriage | No Responses »

RI: Three Gubenatorial Candidates Promise to Sign Gay Marriage Bill

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Three candidates running for Rhode Island governor are promising to sign a gay marriage bill should it reach their desk if they are elected. Marriage Equality Rhode Island solicited the promise from Attorney General Patrick Lynch and General Treasurer Frank Caprio, both Democrats, and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, an independent.

The candidates have been invited to make their promise public at a Statehouse rally on March 3.

Republican John Robitaille hasn’t yet responded to the gay rights group. He has said he opposes gay marriage but might support domestic partnerships.

Full Story from the Boston Herald
Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in governor, gubenatorial candidates, rhode island, ri | No Responses »

RI: Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of Gay Funeral Rights Bill

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

”Not being able to claim his body was certainly something that was beyond belief, was beyond human compassion from anyone. There was just no compassion whatsoever from anyone in the state.”

Mark Goldberg, 49, explaining why he pushed for a bill to allow for the legal recognition of non-married partners when it comes to funeral planning. It is reported that Goldberg’s partner, Ron Hanby, committed suicide two years ago, and despite multiple documents including wills, the state medical examiner would not release Hanby’s body to his gay partner. The Rhode Island legislature just overrode a veto by Republican Governor Donald Carcieri of the bill which had passed with near-unanimous, bipartisan support.

He continued his mean-spirited comments on the matter yesterday by sending out a letter that said the bill “represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage….” The law will apply to same-sex and heterosexual couples who can prove that they are 18+, and have shared a life together for a year.

Full Story from Metro Weekly: http://www.metroweekly.com/news/last_word/2010/01/last-rights-rhode-island-defea.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in funeral arrangements, gay rights, governor, overrides, rhode island, ri, veto | No Responses »

RI: Gay Legislator Poised to Become House Majority Leader

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

As House Speaker William J. Murphy’s chosen successor, House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox faces one of the biggest years in his political life. If his fellow representatives choose him as speaker, Fox will become one of the state’s most powerful politicians, leading the Democrat-controlled House as it struggles with the worst financial mess in decades.

He has competition from his party’s more conservative flank. Fox’s legislative priority list aligns him with the party’s more liberal wing. An openly gay man, he is a staunch advocate, for example, of same-sex marriage.

But in his seven years as majority leader, Fox, who turned 48 on Dec. 21, has been the hands-on negotiator, ego-soother, vote-counter and cheerleader for every major action the Murphy leadership team has taken.

Full Story from Projo.com: http://www.projo.com/news/content/2010_WATCH_FOX_01-03-10_A6GTK5K_v24.338b6b0.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in gay legislator, Gay Marriage, Gordon D. Fox, house majority leader, openly gay, rhode island, ri | No Responses »

RI: Legislature May Override Governor's Veto of Funeral Rights Bill

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Rhode Island lawmakers will try to override the governor’s veto of legislation allowing same-sex couples to plan the funerals of their partners. The bill received near-unanimous support from both chambers this year.

But it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Don Carcieri, who said it represented an erosion of the principles behind heterosexual marriage.

The governor said rights for domestic partners should be decided by voters, not by the General Assembly. The bill is among those scheduled to be dealt with before the House and Senate start their new sessions on Tuesday.

Full Story from the Nashua Telegraph: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/statenewengland/509373-227/ri-lawmakers-plan-override-vote-on-gay.html

Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill, funeral rights, gay, governor carcieri, lesbian, override veto, rhode island, ri | No Responses »

RI: Profile of New Gay Rights Group Queer Action

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Gov. Don Carcieri is a staunch social conservative who headlined a fundraiser for an anti-gay marriage group and says same-sex couples have no civil right to marriage.

So it surprised even some of Carcieri’s toughest critics when the Republican sat down this month for a tense but polite meeting with six members of Queer Action of Rhode Island, the state’s newest gay rights group. When he emerged, Carcieri announced he would consider supporting a domestic partnership system similar to one recently expanded by voters in Washington state.

His suggestion was an early victory for Queer Action, which wants to lobby for gay marriage and stronger hate crime laws while taking its message to opponents like Carcieri who are accustomed to a normally sedate Statehouse. Its tactics have included Internet campaigns, protests and the sitdown with the governor.

Full Story from the Boston Herald: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20091126new_gay_rights_group_brings_message_to_ri_leaders/srvc=home&position=recent

Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, gay rights group, queer action, rhode island, ri, same sex rights | No Responses »

RI Legislature Sends Gay Funeral Planning Bill to Governor

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Gays in Rhode Island would get the right to plan the funerals of their late partners under a bill heading to Gov. Don Carcieri’s desk.

The legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate would give gay men and women the same right to plan the funerals of their partners as if they were married. Rhode Island is the only New England state that does not recognize gay marriage.

It would also allow the medical examiner to release a body to the late person’s domestic partner.

Full Story from WJTV: http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/ap_exchange/special_-_medical/article/RiLawmakersBackFuneralPlanningRightsForGaysRi/49888/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill, funeral rights, gay, governor, legislature, lesbian, rhode island, ri | No Responses »

Rhode Island Governor to Meet With Gay Marriage Group

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Outgoing Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri has agreed to meet in early November with a group of gay and lesbian activists, but proceeded to speak out against gay marriage at a fundraiser for a Massachusetts group opposed to gay and lesbian rights.

Carcieri told the group that marriage is “not a civil right.”

Last month, gay rights group Queer Action Rhode Island asked the Republican governor to cancel a scheduled appearance before the anti-gay group Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI) at its 18th Annual Fundraising Banquet.

Full Story from On Top Magazine: http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4727&MediaType=1&Category=26

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in anti gay marriage, donald carcieri, gay activists, giovernor, meeting, rhode island | No Responses »

Gay Marriage Rally Held at Rhode Island State House

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

With the General Assembly scheduled to reconvene at the end of the month, supporters of same-sex marriage Saturday held a rally on the steps of the State House to try to put more heat on individual senators and representatives to come around to their cause.

About 150 people who support gay marriage and attended the rally pledged to sign postcards that will be sent to their legislators over the next few days to let them know that they want Rhode Island to allow men to marry men and women to marry women.

Rhode Island is the only state in New England that does not allow same-sex marriage. Although Governor Carcieri, House Speaker William J. Murphy and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed oppose legalizing gay marriage, other politicians in the state, including Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts and the openly gay mayor of Providence, David N. Cicilline, do.

Full Story from Projo.com: http://www.projo.com/news/content/MARRIAGE_EQUALITY_10-18-09_HKG4HTT_v15.353e948.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, rally, rhode island, ri, state house | No Responses »

« Older Entries