Rhode Island Will Become 10th State To Pass Gay Marriage

Just after midnight, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, left, performs a civil union vows ceremony for Sonja Semion, center left, and her partner Courtney Law at the Webb Municipal Building in Denver, Wednesday May 1, 201... Just after midnight, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, left, performs a civil union vows ceremony for Sonja Semion, center left, and her partner Courtney Law at the Webb Municipal Building in Denver, Wednesday May 1, 2013. In March 2013, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB-11, the Colorado Civil Union Act, which provides committed same-sex couples with legal protections and responsibilities. The act went into effect on May 1, 2013. MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island is joining nine other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY’-fee) plans to sign gay marriage legislation into law Thursday following a final procedural vote in the state’s General Assembly.

Hundreds are expected to gather at the Statehouse to celebrate the new law, which has already passed the House and Senate once.

The other five New England states already have gay marriage, but bills that would have changed marriage laws in heavily Catholic Rhode sputtered for nearly 20 years until this year. More gay marriage supporters were elected to the legislature last fall, and advocates mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign to pressure undecided lawmakers.

The first weddings could occur Aug. 1, when the new law takes effect.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Latest News
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: