Rhode Island, and the Quest for Gay Marriage Throughout New England

categories: Gay Marriage, Marriage Equality, State LGBT News

Published October 18, 2009 @ 02:56PM PT

Rhode Island

When it comes to gay marriage and New England, all eyes are on Maine as voters prepare to decide whether the state's same-sex marriage law will be kept on the books, or repealed at the hands of anti-gay church folk. But three states down is the tiniest state in the country, Rhode Island, and if Maine beats back its anti-gay ballot measure, Rhode Island will become the only state in New England that does not recognize marriage equality. And activists are letting it be known that they want that changed.

This weekend, around 150 marriage equality supporters rallied on the steps of the State Capitol to boost public support (and thus, political action) for same-sex marriage. To say they are angry about Rhode Island not joining the marriage equality bandwagon might be an understatement.

"It's embarrassing, frankly, to be part of the only state surrounded by all of these other states that have already made the progressive choice," marriage equality supporter Ken Fish told WPRI. "And to have it happen here in Rhode Island -- how ironic -- the birthplace of religious freedom!"

Part of the problem is that Rhode Island's governor is, by many measures, a complete tool. While unemployment figures balloon in Rhode Island and the state is forced to ponder shutting down for up to two weeks to resolve a budget crisis, Gov. Don Carcieri high-tailed it up to Massachusetts this week for a $50-a-head fundraiser for the anti-gay Massachusetts Family Institute. During his speech, Gov. Carcieri said that gay rights activists piss him off when they try to fight for equality.

"[Same-sex marriage] is not a civil right," Gov. Carcieri said. "I get aggravated when it is portrayed that way."

Funny, I get aggravated when Governors start behaving like televangelists and parade around the country peddling discrimination.

Gov. Carcieri is barred from seeking another term in office after this one ends. Since he's already a member of the National Organization for Marriage, perhaps he'll consider employment there. Beyond that, one can only hope that Gov. Carcieri's successor isn't stuck in the stone ages when it comes to respecting equal rights.

(Photo from taberandrew's photostream on Flickr.)

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Comments (9)

Wow, thats embarrassing. Pretty much the entire side of my dad's family lives in rhode island.

That governor is an absolute moron, and its damn straight that he can't run for office again!

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 10/18/2009 @ 04:17PM PT
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Don Carcieri is an intolerant conservative with an incorrect view of LGBT rights. Same-sex marriage is an important right which must be availible in every state of the United States. It's unfortunate that the governor won't sign a bill which would recognize same-sex marriage, but the legislature could do that, as was done in Vermont. While Don Carcieri is angry about LGBT rights, his reason for his position on LGBT rights is made up of nonsense.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/18/2009 @ 07:44PM PT
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2 things I gotta say here...

1 : Govenor carcieri is an idiot.

2 : National Organisation for Marriage needs to change their name to National Organisation for Morons.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 01:08AM PT
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I still like when NOM decided to go by 2M4M.

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/19/2009 @ 10:33AM PT
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Yep...That was funny...

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 02:39PM PT
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Just amazing that people still haven't made it to the 21st Century yet.

Definitely agree with you, Thomas, on both the governor and the NOM.

BTW, call me Merlyn (my P name).

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/19/2009 @ 03:28AM PT
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Thank you merlyn and you may call me moonwolf if you like.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 09:49AM PT
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Thank you, moonwolf!

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/19/2009 @ 07:31PM PT
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why not

Posted by Jiaoshou Wang on 11/17/2009 @ 06:25PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.