Civil Unions Pass In Rhode Island – Opposed By The Gay Community
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on June 30, 2011
Rhode Island – Yes, you read that headline correctly. A law legalizing Civil Unions in Rhode Island for same sex couples passed the Senate last night and is headed to the Governor to sign. But some of the biggest opponents to the law are LGBT organizations.
Last night the State Senate in R.I. passed the Civil Unions legislation by a vote of 21-16, and it is now headed to Governor Lincoln Chafee who may sign it into law as early as today. But the bill was not popular with many leading LGBT organizations, and they are calling for the Governor to veto the bill.
Being a strong-blue state, Rhode Island is a place where Marriage Equality is a real possibility right now – leading organizations such as GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) and the Log Cabin Republicans say that passing Civil Unions is a “slap in the face” to the gay community, and creates ‘separate but equal’ status for same-sex couples. The groups are demanding that Governor Chafee veto the bill, and that a full Marriage Equality bill be pushed in the State Legislature.
Many of us seem to forget at times (especially those of us who live in Utah and are still fighting for basic rights) that Civil Unions are not the equivalent of marriage. Many of the rights granted in Marriage do not come with Civil Unions in most states, and it is still a 2nd-class designation.
Do you think that opposing Civil Unions in favor of possibly passing Marriage Equality is smart? Let us know what you think!
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
Civil unions are “throw the dog a bone so he’ll shaddup”. They’re not marriage. Marriage or nothing!
I would take civil unions. If we got those here that would be huge. but what we need is federal recognition. yeah, and a pony.
Gotta side with Maureen. I cannot be satisfied with something “almost as good.” But 9 points to Mike for the x-files reference!