Rhode Island To Introduce Gay Marriage Bill Today
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on January 6, 2011
Rhode Island – State Representative Arthur Handy says that he will introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage today. He already has 27 co-sponsors and says he hopes this can be moved through the legislature quickly.
This comes almost immediately after Governor Lincoln Chafee’s inauguration speech, in which he called for this law to be passed. The language of the bill says that any person who otherwise meets the qualifications to be married may mary any other person who is also qualified, regardless of gender.
Arthur Handy
In a brief interview on Wednesday, Rep. Arthur Handy (pictured), D-Cranston, said he had already lined up 27 co-sponsors and was hoping for more, but would introduce the bill no matter what the number on Thursday in hopes of spurring an early-session hearing and vote on the measure.
Besides Handy, the other lead sponsors include Representatives Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, Edith Ajello, D-Providence, Deborah Ruggiero, D-Jamestown, and the openly gay House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, who had said in the days leading up to the start of the 2011 General Assembly session that he hoped for a House vote on same-sex marriage early in the session, before the lawmakers get wrapped up in the budget and other issues.
“I would like it done earlier than later, only because later you get into budget issues and your focus sort of changes,” Fox said.
"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.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dennis. Dennis said: RT @PRIDEinUtah: Rhode Island To Introduce #GayMarriage Bill Today http://bit.ly/gY9lte #lgbt [...]
[...] current bill legalizing marriage in Rhode Island was introduced last month by Rep Arthur Handy and at last count had 27 [...]
[...] The bill is being sponsored by Representative Arthur Handy (D), and is drawing an enormous amount of both praise and criticism. Not wanting to be outdone, Republican Rep Jon Brien has introduced a 2nd bill which woud push the question of marriage to a general ballot (because, you know, the majority should always vote on a minority’s rights). [...]