The Push for Marriage in Rhode Island

February 04, 2011

The Rhode Island House is holding a committee hearing on the state's marriage bill on Wednesday, February 9th, after this week's session was postponed by the big snowstorm. Freedom to Marry's Marc Solomon has been on the ground there working with groups including Marriage Equality Rhode Island, which is holding a rally at the statehouse for that day.

Meri Kennedy posted on warwickonline.com:

"Marriage equality is a controversial issue that has stirred many opinions, commentaries, polls and legalities, yet for many same sex couples in Rhode Island, they want the same thing; the right to marry in their own home state.

"2011 just may be the year that this will occur with bills in both the House and Senate having been introduced and with a new Governor not opposed to marriage equality in Rhode Island. Behind the grassroots efforts to legalize same sex marriages is MERI (Marriage Equality RI), under the leadership of Kathy Kushnir, Executive Director and its Board of Directors.

"'Gov. Chafee is fully supportive of the Marriage Equality legislation (House bill H5012 and Senate bill S0029) and will sign the bill into law,' said Kushnir. MERI is seeking civil marriages, which would be recognized state-to-state, unlike civil unions which are a legal status created solely for same sex couples.

"'Marriages are respected state-to-state,' said Kushnir, 'but questions remain about how civil unions would be treated in other states. We feel that MERI’s organizational resources are better used working to achieve full equality than to oppose limited protections. We seek equal marriage and an end to discrimination.'

"For Annie Cronin and Melanie Silva of Warwick, 2011 will hopefully allow them to renew their vows here as it also marks their 10th year anniversary as a couple. They were married in 2008 in Massachusetts, where same sex marriages are legal as it is also in Connecticut.

"'Our mothers walked us down the aisle and gave us their blessings. It still gives me goose bumps to think about the moment when I walked down the aisle toward Melanie, the person who I chose to be my family, to be my future, to be my true companion,' said Cronin.

"'We stood before our friends and family to profess our love, devotion and commitment to each other for better or worse, till death do us part. I only wish we could have been married in the state where we reside and call home.'

"Cronin and Silva own their own home, pay taxes, work in the community, have pets, and also have a supportive circle of friends and family.

"'We are a typical couple and yet we are not given the same recognition for our relationship as other couples. We are not given the same protections under the law that other married couples automatically receive. Protections such as hospital visitation, social security benefits, tax benefits (married couples can file jointly), estate taxes, nursing home rights and other protections just to name a few,' said Cronin.

"'I want to know we have security that comes from legally binding vows that are sincerely made and faithfully kept. I want to honor our relationship in the greatest way our society has to offer, by making a public commitment to stand together in good times and bad, through all the joys and challenges life brings,' said Cronin.

… "The Rev. Eugene Dyszlewski, the Pastor of Riverside Congregational United Church of Christ and Chairperson of the RI Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, is a resident of Cranston. He believes that same-sex marriage is 'God’s will.'

"'My denomination, the United Church of Christ, has taken a position in favor of marriage equality. I am pleased to be the chair of a group with over 130 religious leaders in Rhode Island who have signed a Declaration affirming that same-sex marriage is God’s plan for humanity,' said Rev. Dyszlewski.

"'I hold a fundamental belief that all people are made in the image and likeness of God and all people are beings of infinite value, and worthy of respect. I believe that God created us good. Thus, no essential feature of humanity is defective. Sexual orientation is a natural characteristic of humanity that occurs on a continuum from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. Every sexual orientation is blessed by God,' said Rev. Dyszlewski.

"According to Rev. Dyszlewski, restricting marriage creates economic hardships for couples who do not have the numerous legal protections that come with marriage. It also results in disadvantaging children, leaving them without the same legal protections that children of opposite-sex couples enjoy. Same-sex couples and their children bear economic burdens inequitably. Marital status affects tax policy, property and inheritance rules, immigration and citizenship, as well as, social benefits programs. Marriage creates numerous economic support obligations between consenting adults, which also apply to the benefit of their dependents. Without marriage, the usual social supports that strengthen families are not available.

"'As a church pastor, when I look around on Sunday morning I see families with children, singles and couples, gays and straights. I believe that having a child is a choice people must take seriously and I whole heartedly encourage responsible adults, who have the capacity to be good parents, to make this choice. However, how do I tell the children in my Sunday school that all children have been created equal, when they and their families are not treated equally in Rhode Island?'

"A Rally for Marriage Equality will be held on Wed., Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. at the State House. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear red for love and marriage."

Read the full article here.