Rhode Island
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In the summer of 2011, the Rhode Island state legislature passed a civil union bill. Efforts are underway throughout the state to continue the momentum to move toward marriage.
HISTORY
While Rhode Island does not allow same-sex couples to marry within their state, the state does respect out-of-state marriages regardless of whether the couple could have married in Rhode Island (a divorce by a same-sex couple was not recognized, but the marriage recognition law was not necessarily changed as a result).
Status: Equally Honoring Out-of-State Marriages, Civil Union
Groups Actively Working on Marriage
Marriage Equality Rhode Island: the lead organization in the fight for equal marriage for same-sex couples in Rhode Island
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: Rhode Island: New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression
Blog Posts Related to Rhode Island
Senator Reed: 104 days ≠ “very shortly”
104 days ago, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) said he would decide "very shortly" whether or not he would cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would overturn DOMA. But 104 days later, he's still deciding. What's the hold up, Senator Reed?
He said he would decide… but when?
Nearly one month ago, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) said he would decide "very quickly" whether or not he would cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act. But after we delivered hundreds of constituent signatures to his office over a week ago, we're still waiting.
Rhode Islanders ask Senator Reed to cosponsor DOMA repeal
Today, Freedom to Marry along with Courage Campaign, Marriage Equality Rhode Island, and Ocean State Action, will deliver hundreds of signatures to Senator Reed's office in support of the Respect for Marriage Act.
Resources Related to Rhode Island
Media Primer: 2011 Flashpoints for LGBT Equality
A media primer on the LGBT issues landscape for the coming year released by the Human Rights Campaign.
New Poll Finds Majority Support for the Freedom to Marry in Rhode Island
A poll released by the Rhode Island Marriage Coalition (RIMC) found a majority of Rhode Island voters support the freedom to marry.
Marriage Guide for Rhode Island Same-Sex Couples
A guide for Rhode Island same-sex couples to understand how they can get married in states with marriage for same-sex couples, and what to expect in Rhode Island.