Less than a week after New York became the nation's sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, Rhode Island state lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that permits civil unions between gay and lesbian couples.
The measure, which passed the state Senate by a count of 21-16, is widely seen as a compromise intended to provide same-same couples with added rights and benefits, while also preventing an expanded legal definition of marriage.
The legislation, which passed overwhelmingly in the state's lower house on May 19, affords same-sex couples a host of new state tax breaks, health-care benefits and greater ease of inheritance.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, is expected to sign the bill into law, according to his spokesman, Michael Trainor. If signed, the law would take effect on July 1, making Rhode Island the fifth state in the country to allow civil unions between same-sex couples.
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When speaking about First Amendment issues in regards to marriage equality, it's always important to remember it isn't just a matter of those denominations who claim they'd be forced to perform same gender marriages. The many Christian, Jewish and other denominations that are marrying same gender couples now are being denied their right to practice their religion freely in 44 US States. These denominations have married same gender couples in 6 US States and the District of Columbia:
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Metropolitan Community Church
Reform Judaism
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Unitarian Universalist Church
United Church of Christ
Its not that he doesnt value freedom and equality because ive read enough of his post to know he does mayby its that he knows the difference between right and wrong and he along with me and others are trying to sound the warning that just because it feels gond doesnt make it right
@Carrot...religions that publicly challenge same-gender marriages are threatened with losing their ta exempt status. So they shun God's word upon which they established their religion in favor of profit. Just because holy men from different religions tag-teamed your boy's anus doesn't prove that this sort of behavior is ordained by God. Get a clue.
And if you are so big on your facts carrot top cake man check this one out that with the onset of your liberal fascism in this contry the more it grows the more this country the one that i love and would lay my life down for in a instant has gone to hell i just hope that it hasnt gone too far
Right, it's gays peoples fault that we can't balance our national budget, that we're in 3 un-winnable wars, that all our necessities(such as education& healthcare) are being decimated, etc.! Lay it all at gays feet, that makes sense (mega eyerolling)!!
How would you know? You're not normal. Normal people don't get all exercised over what others do in the bedroom.
Get help, Lassie.
So, with that logic we should now expect that 50% of the civil unions won't last.
You're an !di0t. Perverts? Cut me a break. Straight men are the BIGGEST perverts. No wonder women come to gay men for support. Straight men are disgusting.
You aren't right in your mind, simpleton.
moron
John, when you touch yourself, watching p0rn, you're having relations with a man. ewww. gross.
Because boobs are just more awesome, regardless of how they're dressed.
Guess who else cannot reproduce, the elderly. Can they still merry?
Why is there any need to 'benefit nature'? There are plenty of people in the world, honey. There's no shortage to try to make up. And there are millions of couples who marry and either can't have or don't want any kids. You have a beef with them, too?
The world population is seven billion...I think the human race can survive with the equal right to be with whatever gender we choose....speaking from a straight dude, and a biology major...