MERI 2004 History

Bills: Bills supporting and opposing marriage equality were submitted in both the state Senate and House of Representatives. Dozens of us testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees in favor of marriage equality. Several hundred people attended the hearings outnumbering opposition by significant numbers (approximately 10:1 in favor). Neither the pro-same sex marriage nor the opposition bills were passed. Not passing a marriage equality law this year was not unexpected - it takes time to win over legislators and the public. But we have made significant progress in shaping the discussion and moving the issue forward in Rhode Island. If we keep up our work, we will achieve marriage equality!

Lobbying: We spoke with 90% of Senators and Representatives during the legislative season (January-June) and made real headway in changing minds. When we resume this valuable work when the next session begins in January we hope that many of you will join the lobbying crew!

At a February 24th news conference in East Greenwich, hometown of Governor Carcieri, sponsored by the RI Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, 11 religious leaders from seven denominations publicly stated their support for the right to civil marriage for same-gender couples.

Community meetings: We’ve held four community meetings, including one with a representative of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), which won the lawsuit to bring marriage equality in MA. These meetings have been very valuable, bringing lots of concerned citizens together to help achieve our goals.

Rallies: We held two major rallies at the statehouse, bringing in more than 200 people each time. The rallies were so moving and effective that House Majority Leader Gordon Fox was so overcome, he came out right there on the steps of the rotunda to thunderous applause and the praise of not only his community but the state in general.

2004 Rally at the RI State House

At the first rally, we introduced Picture Equality, a photo petition, at the rallies.

 

 

Picture Equality
is Introduced

 

 

In addition, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) held a successful rally on the State House steps in support of marriage equality.

 

 

Wedding cake at the NASW rally

 

Radio Ads: Through a significant grant from the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington DC-based group, we were able to run radio ads featuring a local couple on many RI radio stations. These ads were the first paid broadcast media ever on an LGBT civil rights issue in Rhode Island. The radio ads helped legislators and the public realize how serious this issue is and how serious we are about getting positive legislation passed. Equity Action of the Rhode Island Foundation has also contributed to this outreach.

On Sunday, March 14th religious organizations in Rhode Island held a “Bell Ringing for Marriage Equality” as part of their weekend services.

Massachusetts-related Events: We held a celebration of civil marriage rights – “A Toast to Marriage Equality” – on May 17, the day marriage became legal for couples in MA. Our celebration framed the local news coverage and helped assure the event was treated as a Southern New England celebration not a threat from “outside” the state. We also had a table at Pride.

 

A Toast to
Marriage Equality
May 17, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Massachusetts Couple tosses the bouquet to a RI couple.

 

 

Campaign Endorsements. The Campaign is endorsed by nearly 50 LGBT and mainstream organizations representing a significant percentage of the RI population. We have unions, social service agencies and religious denominations standing in visible support of this campaign. We have worked to gain endorsements from businesses and organizations. But we need more to show how widespread our support is. Go to our website to get an endorsement form. Then bring it to your professional group, your neighborhood group, your business, you church – raise the conversation wherever you can and ask for their support of the Campaign.

Picture Equality: At this point, we have more than 350 photos of people who support marriage equality. We have shown this exhibition at several sites and plan more. Picture Equality has been shown at PRIDE, the Stonewall Democrats convention in Providence and at the play "The Laramie Project." If you are a RI resident and would like to be included, please send your photos to PictureEquality@MarriageEqualityRI.org.

GLAD Lawsuit: GLAD has filed a lawsuit that includes two Rhode Island couples. The suit seeks to overturn the MA governor’s edict that out-of-state couples not be allowed to get legally married in MA.

In December, Marriage Equality RI puts out its first email newsletter.