Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed an executive order today that allows Rhode Island to recognize same-sex marriages performed out of state.
It’s not just a lip-service move, either. Reports the AP:
The executive order is expected to have many real-world implications. Same-sex spouses of state employees and anyone covered by an insurance company regulated in Rhode Island will be entitled to health and life insurance benefits, gay rights advocates say.
Both partners in a same-sex couple will be able to list their names as parents on a child’s birth certificate, and same-sex couples will be entitled to sales tax exemptions on the transfer of property including vehicles.
Rhode Island has been the one state in New England to drag its feet on actually legalizing same-sex marriage—despite Marriage Equality Rhode Island’s insistence that a bill would be introduced this session, nothing actually materialized.
Daninprov
That’s because the openly gay Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox and the Senate President,, Teresa Paiva-Weed have no backbone in response to perceived political fears.
Fodolodo
MERI was correct: a marriage bill was introduced this session. It even got a committee hearing, though I suspect it won’t get much further than that.
Hyhybt
It’s not as good as being able to marry in-state, but Rhode Island is ideal for this particular in-between position. The whole state is less than 50 miles across, and it’s surrounded (except on the ocean’s side) by states where gay couples can marry, so nobody has to go far.
1equalityUSA
From the cradle to the grave, gays have been denied equality and have been charged more to exist. This can no longer be accepted (legally). Thanks, Gov. Chafee, for lessening our oppression in your state.
cam
Thank you gov. Chafee, This is perfect for a state like RI. People can pretty much just drive 20 miles away, get married, and drive back in with a full marriage.
People like Romney, Maggie (Moo) Galagher etc… need to realize they are fighting a losing battle here.
Good grief
It is shameful that RI is probably the most Democratic-leaning state in the country and yet gay marriage proposals fail year after year. The problem is that the politicians are mostly supported by blue collar “conservative” Catholic Democrats, and that there is a deep-rooted Mafia-supported culture of corruption in the state’s politics. These people are not our friends.
Hyhybt
@cam: Well, not *perfect*… but my brother went almost that far from home for his wedding, and it was in the same county, at the church he attends every week.