Rhode Island House Votes 51-19 for Marriage Equality

[Rolyo85]

I can't understand how the state that has Chicago in it can be this slow...

 

[Ninja108]

I can't understand how the state that has Chicago in it can be this slow...

Because many other parts of it are very red. Even in some liberal areas,many of the pastors are against gay marriage and aren't shy about letting their represenatives know it either.

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A Senate committee vote is expected after April 22, when Spring break is over. Informal whip count is that it will pass 6-4. Then Senate President Paiva Weed will hold a Senate vote shortly thereafter, according to her own comments.

http://equalityontrial.com/2013/04/...t-expect-a-marriage-equality-vote-this-month/

Rhode Island and Illinois are now neck and neck to become the 10th state. Although, I'd say passage is more assured in RI.

You just know she's secretly gritting her teeth at having to do this. There have been others but she's been the key reason gay marriage has been blocked in RI.

 

[Ninja108]

They do indeed. Unlike other parts of the country,there is hell to pay if they don't go through with this..and the people who have blocked it know it.

 

[Ninja108]

With the US Senators from the Dakotas just announcing their support, it really would look shitty on Rhode Island if they didn't. It already does being the last New England state, and one without much rural area.

But as you've pointed out in the past,many of the people blocking it are devote Catholics..and they follow the church's teachings on gay marriage to a tee.

 

[Ninja108]

At this point,they don't have a choice. Sadly not the case elsewhere.

 

[Ninja108]

Sure they have a choice, between the wise one and the stupid one. The stupid one is to stamp their religion on the state and they know it.

Didn't stop them for the years,even in the face of pressure. I think the fact DOMA will most likely be struck down and the pressure from all sides got to them.

 

[Ninja108]

Indeed it is..and I never thought in my lifetime that in many places,being against gay marriage would be a losing issue.

 

[Ninja108]

I can see it passing..I believe there are enough votes for it to..propably why Paiva-Weed kept blocking it.

 

[Rolyo85]

When will the final vote be?

 

[scream4ever]

^^^A final senate vote will likely occur by the end of the week.

 

[Ninja108]

I'll be holding my breath.

 

[Rolyo85]

Isn't it the House? I always have trouble separating those

 

[bike10]

One more state says yes to marriage equality.

 

[Ninja108]

Rhode Island should have had marriage equality a long time ago. IMO,it's just another reason why doing it state by state is a stupid idea. Paiva-Weed almost singlehandly held up marriage equality (she had a little help) in Rhode Island until she was backed into a corner.
It will be worse in other states where there won't be that pressure.

 

[Ninja108]

There is no opposition from the Democratic leadership in those remaining states where we can make legislative progress as I see it. We're really closing in now on the unconquered blue states, and any opposition Democratic leadership universally recognizes that resistance is futile.

Here is a summary of where we stand right now and what will happen by 2016:

Four states are in legislative debate now with final passage that can come at any time.
New Jersey is in limbo, but some think they will override Christie's veto this summer.
California will probably be rid of Prop 8 in June.
Hawaii is the only one left where debate has not started, but likely to start next year.
New Mexico will have a court battle over Santa Fe's proposal to issue marriages.
Oregon will repeal its amendment in 2014.
Nevada and Colorado will do so in 2016, possibly also Michigan and Ohio.

That gets us to 20-22 states in the next three years. After that it's really just red state amendment repeals by citizen initiative.

I know in Ohio they are debating whether to get a bill out next year but I would really wait until 2016. There is still still enough resistance there that in an off year,putting it on would be a bad idea.

 

[DigitalFudge]

Fabulous!


I knew I used Rhode Island.

 

[Ninja108]

Freedom to Marry Ohio has the signatures now, almost twice the requirement actually. However, the latest poll in Ohio was pro-equality 48-44 according to Quinnipiac. That is promising but does not look particularly good, especially since previous polls showed much higher support.

I think Freedom to Marry Ohio will wait for one more poll, and if it isn't good, then they will not submit the signatures. They have until July 3 to make a decision. I'm with you though; I think 2016 will be the best shot. It's a presidential election year when the most youth turn out, and it will give Ohioans another three years to change their minds.

Agreed..and also..if Portman gets primaried based on his support of same sex marriage,I think it will make the push to repeal it that much stronger.

 

[Rolyo85]

Chris Plante has been hospitalized for a seizure since Saturday. He is the leading opponent of gay marriage in the state as the head of NOM Rhode Island.

My heart bleeds for him.

 

[Ninja108]

Congrats Rhode Island!

 

[Rolyo85]

Rhode Island has approved marriage equality with a final House vote of 58-16!

Governor Lincoln Chafee announced yesterday that he would sign the bill at the Rhode Island State House at 5:45 pm today. The law will take effect beginning August 1.