3295
(0 votes, average 0 out of 5)
Jul 14, 2011
Lincoln Chafee
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has signed into law a bill allowing gay couples to enter into civil unions. Chafee said the bill was an imperfect piece of legislation but still a “step forward” toward full marriage rights in the state.
Both proponents and opponents of marriage equality denounced the measure.
Gay rights groups urged Chafee to veto it, saying the law continued discrimination against gays. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence denounced the Assembly vote, calling the concept of civil unions “a mockery of the institution of marriage as designed by God” that “undermines the well-being of our families and poses a threat to religious liberty.”
Chafee, an independent, said he remained “committed to the passage of marriage equality, but democracy is about compromise.”
“I am convinced that Rhode Island will someday have full marriage equality, and I intend to play a role in that effort,” he said.
But Martha Holt, the chair of the pro-gay marriage group Marriage Equality Rhode Island, said she was “remarkably disappointed” in Chafee for signing “a bill that creates a second-class citizenry for thousands of lesbian and gay couples in loving, committed relationships.”
