Marriage Equality Vote In Rhode Island

From Edge Boston:

In an interview last month, Fox cited gains in the state’s General Assembly and gay marriage victories around the U.S. as evidence that the public supports allowing same-sex couples to wed.

’’This election shows there’s been a real change on this issue,’’ he said. ’’I’m hopeful. There’s definitely a trend here. There’s a wave, and we should ride it.’’

Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Marriage Equality Rhode Island, the lead organization in the fight for equal marriage rights for gay couples in the state, said in a statement Monday his group is ’’excited and grateful’’ that Paiva Weed expects a Senate committee vote. 

While calling it another step in the right direction, he stressed that his group will continue its push until a same-sex marriage bill is signed into law.

Gay marriage is legal, or will be soon, in nine states - Maine, Maryland, Washington, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont - and in the District of Columbia.

Rhode Island is the only state in New England that does not allow gay marriage. The state recognizes gay marriages performed elsewhere, following an executive order by Chafee, who supports gay marriage.

Chafee said last week he very much wants to sign a gay-marriage bill.