g********d 发帖数: 4174 | 1 Rhode Island may soon cease to be the only state in New England without a
marriage equality law now that Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed has
committed to allowing a vote on the issue in the next year.
Paiva Weed, a Democrat, said in an interview Monday there would “certainly
” be a vote on marriage equality legislation in the Senate Judiciary
Committee, according to Rhode Island Public Radio. She did not predict the
outcome of the vote, but said she expects amendments about a statewide
referendum to receive extensive discussion following the results of similar
votes in nearby states.
“In light of the outcome of referendums in Maine and in Maryland, I
anticipate that the concept of initiative or referendum will probably be
more thoroughly debated this year than in past years,” she said.
The Senate President said her commitment to a vote affirmed a previous
statement from Senate Judiciary chairman Michael McCaffrey, who fended off
an energetic primary challenge from a marriage equality supporter. The
chairman said he expected a vote would come before his committee. Should the
panel advance the bill, the measure would go before the full legislature
for a vote.
Using a model applied in other states, advocates in Rhode Island worked
through the Fight Back RI PAC this election cycle to make the composition of
the legislature more favorable for marriage equality. Despite historic
gains last month, Senator Paiva Weed’s opposition to a vote in her chamber
remained a significant obstacle.
Marriage Equality Rhode Island reacted to the news of her changed position
in a statement.
“We are both excited and grateful that the Senate President has decided to
schedule a Judiciary Committee vote on marriage equality in 2013, following
the House’s expected passage of this historic civil rights legislation,”
said campaign director Ray Sullivan. “We will continue to actively reach
out to legislators on both sides of the aisle and grow our broad coalition
of supporters in the House and Senate. Today’s news is another positive
step in the right direction, but we won’t stop until the work of winning
equal rights and recognition under the law for all loving, committed couples
is complete, with legislation signed into law by Governor Chafee.”
House Speaker Gordon Fox, who is openly gay, has already promised to hold a
vote on marriage equality legislation in 2013. Two years ago, he backed a
civil unions compromise that disappointed advocates and included extensive
religious protections.
Rhode Island is one of a handful of small and medium-sized states where
advocates are focused on winning marriage equality in the coming year. Other
prospects include Delaware, New Jersey and Illinois. | m******1 发帖数: 19713 | |
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