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

The full RI Senate will vote on the same-sex marriage bill tomorrow afternoon after it was sent to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee today, April 23.

The vote was 7-4. Among those voting in support of the bill was Sen. William J. Conley Jr. of East Providence, according to the Providence Journal.

The committee rejected by a 6-5 vote 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. Dozens of same-sex marriage supporters packed the third floor State House hearing room and the hallway outside, according to the newspaper.

Voting for the bill besides Conley were Stephen Archambault, D-Smithfield; 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.”