same-sex marriage

Driscoll heading to new gig, with Organizing for Action

Ian Donnis — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:48:09 +0000

Devin Driscoll, communications head for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage -- which led the grassroots campaign to legalize same-sex marriage -- is heading to a new job, as the Chicago-based Northeast regional director for Organizing for Action, the Democratic effort formerly known as Obama for America.

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

Same-Sex Marriage is Law in Rhode Island

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:30:39 +0000

After a 16-year-fight, Rhode Island yesterday (Thursday) became the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. As Rhode Island Public Radio political reporter Ian Donnis reports, supporters hailed the development as a victory for grassroots democracy.

Governor Lincoln Chafee signed two companion bills into law shortly after they were approved, 56-to-15, during a final vote in the House of Representatives. Chafee told an audience of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse that gays and lesbians have been seeking equality for a long time.

After 16-Year Fight, Rhode Island Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:49:49 +0000

To the delight of a crowd of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse, Governor Lincoln Chafee on Thursday evening signed into law legislation making Rhode Island the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Two companion bills forming the basis for the law sped through the General Assembly in recent weeks, in sharp contrast to how the issue of same-sex marriage languished for the preceding 16 years.

Rhode Island Poised to Join 10 Others in Same-Sex Marriage

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:48 +0000

Ian Donnis will be reporting from the statehouse as Rhode Island is poised to join the other New England states that have already legalized same-sex marriage. This follows a battle of almost 20 years.

Two companion bills for same-sex marriage are expected to get overwhelming support during a House vote this afternoon. Immediately after, Governor Lincoln Chafee plans to sign the legislation into law during a ceremony on the south side of the Statehouse.

Are Rhode Island's Openly Gay Lawmakers Hearing Wedding Bells?

Ian Donnis — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:17:06 +0000

After helping to shepherd same-sex marriage legislation on what once seemed an improbable path to victory, House Speaker Gordon Fox was a bit surprised Tuesday to be asked about his own wedding plans.

"I'm just trying to plan to get through this session," Fox said, laughing, when asked if he has plans to marry later this year. "That's a curve ball. I hadn't though about that one. Maybe you should ask my partner that."

Same-Sex Marriage Clears Another Legislative Hurdle

Ian Donnis — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:42:48 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee is expected Thursday to sign into law legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. The House Judiciary Committee quickly approved the bills Tuesday.

Any uncertainty facing the same-sex bills was eliminated when the state Senate overwhelmingly approved them last week. In a largely procedural matter, House Judiciary followed up with an unanimous 13-to-zero vote. Education activist Maryellen Butke, who can recall how fellow gays and lesbians once faced overt hostility in Rhode Island, called the vote historic.

Morning News Podcast, April 29, 2013

John Bender — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:39:16 +0000

In today's podcast, same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, and animal rights activists demonstrating at Brown University. Plus Scott Mackay on the road to same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

Tracing the Long Road to Same-Sex Marriage in Rhode Island

Scott MacKay — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:40:08 +0000

Change happens slowly in politics. Except when it doesn’t. Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay explains the forces behind Rhode Island’s reversal on gay marriage.

The Ocean State is poised to become the 10th state in the nation to recognize same sex marriages and join our five New England neighbors in the vanguard of the movement for equal treatment for gay citizens.

RI Couple Anticipates Marriage

Flo Jonic — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:09:39 +0000

This promises to be a pivotal week in the long-fought battle for same sex marriage in Rhode Island. The House is expected to tweak the bill approved last week by the state Senate and send it off to Governor Lincoln Chafee for his signature.