RI NOW Applauds the Massachusetts Leaders Who Defend Equal Marraige
The following is a statement From Marriage Equality RI on the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention:
Today legislators in Massachusetts, under the leadership Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, courageously stood up against fear, bias, and discrimination. We applaud the 155 members of the Massachusetts {legislature} who stood up against bias, defeating the amendment by a greater margin than expected. Marriage Equality Rhode Island was pleased to see the Massachusetts legislators vote against sending the civil rights of same sex couples to a popular vote. Massachusetts, always a beacon of progress and equality, has NEVER written discrimination into its Constitution. With hundreds of Rhode Island couples already married in Massachusetts, and hundreds more planning their weddings, this vote has particular significance for all Rhode Islanders. We commend our colleagues at MassEquality for this hard-won fight, and will continue to work for equal marriage here in Rhode Island. We look forward to following the standard set by our sister state, and urge the Rhode Island legislature to support the right of all Rhode Island couples to marry in their home state.
MERI believes that a civil society guarantees to all of its citizens certain civil rights; civil marriage is one of these fundamental rights. Each and every adult in Rhode Island - regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation - deserves the opportunity to attain the legal protections and safeguards gained through civil marriage.