Rhode Island legislature passes civil union bill

[cal04]

Source: CNN

Less than a week after New York became the nation's sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, Rhode Island state lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that permits civil unions between gay and lesbian couples.

The measure, which passed the state Senate by a count of 21-16, is widely seen as a compromise intended to provide same-same couples with added rights and benefits, while also preventing an expanded legal definition of marriage.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, is expected to sign the bill into law, according to his spokesman, Michael Trainor.

If signed, the law would take effect on July 1, making Rhode Island the fifth state in the union to allow civil unions between same-sex couples.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/29/rhode.island.civil.unions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[Botany]

1. No longer a question of if but only when ...

... that gay marriage will be the law of the land.

[iandhr]

4. support will increase

A poll said that New Yorkers supported marriage equality 54-40. under 35s supported it 70-26.

[RyanPsych]

2. Well, in RI we can now ride the proverbial bus

...just in the back

[David__77]

3. Blah... it's something.

Maine will hopefully come around. I think Rhode Island is having a hard time because of some crusty backward Democrats from the old school. Progressives have to capture the leadership, then all will be well. One good thing about state-level term limits is that it tends to dislodge old backward types.

[iandhr]

5. Just goes to show...

...the progress road is unfortunately a slow one. When Vermont passed civil unions, the GOP took back one of the houses in the state legislator. But when the doomsday predictions from fundi-religious groups did not come to pass marriage equality was passed in 2009. I predict something similar will happen here in RI