Same-Sex Marriage Bill Goes to Full Senate for Vote Today

The full RI Senate will vote on the same-sex marriage bill this afternoon after it was sent to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday.

The vote was 7-4. Among those voting in support of the bill was Sen. Stephen Archambault, (D-Smithfield, Johnston, N. Prov.), a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The committee rejected by a 6-5 vote on a bill that would have put the marriage-equality legislation before Rhode Island voters in a referendum next year.

The victory on Tuesday gives gay marriage supporters much hope in a debate that has been fierce at times. During a hearing on the bill in March, Archambault questioned the condeming language of those against the legislation. "I don’t know how any man can stand before another man and say they know what the word of God is," Archambault said.

Dozens of same-sex marriage supporters packed the third floor State House hearing room and the hallway outside yesterday, according to the Providence Journal.

Voting for the bill besides Archambault were Sen. William J. Conley Jr. of East Providence; Dawson T. Hodgson, R-North Kingstown; Paul V. Jabour, D-Providence; Erin P. Lynch, D-Warwick; Donna M. Nesselbush, D-Pawtucket; and Leonidas P. Raptakis, D-Coventry.

Voting against were Committee Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey, D-Warwick; and Senators Frank S. Lombardi, D-Warwick; Harold M. Metts, D-Providence, and Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio, D. Providence.

Rhode Islanders United for Marriage issued this statement soon after the vote:

“This is an incredible and historic step forward in the campaign to ensure all loving, committed couples in Rhode Island have the freedom to marry,” said Ray Sullivan, Rhode Islanders United for Marriage campaign director. “We are pleased and proud that the members of the Judiciary Committee were so receptive to the thousands of their constituents who reached out and urged them to vote yes on Senator Nesselbush’s bill. We will continue to connect the supermajority of Rhode Islanders who support marriage equality with their senators before a floor vote, and believe we have the momentum to achieve victory on this critical issue.”

“Members of the committee heard from their constituents in strong opposition to putting fundamental rights on the ballot, and we thank them for defeating this divisive and harmful referendum bill.”

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