Marriage Equality and LGBT Civil Rights

Because civil-rights landscapes differ from state to state, the journey to nationwide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) liberation and equality will take (and has taken) a multitude of different, state-appropriate, paths. Below is information about what has occurred for LGBT civil rights in Rhode Island since 1995. For information on the achievements of Marriage Equality RI, which began in 2004, please check the "Our History" page, which you can access through the buttons on the left of this screen.

Rhode Island's LGBT Civil Rights History

In Rhode Island we have a long, successful history of using the legislative process to gain expanded recognition for LGBT civil rights. Our work in the legislature has laid fertile ground for the same-gender-marriage struggle and any future equal-rights struggles that may emerge. Following are some key landmarks in the fight for LGBT equal rights in Rhode Island:

1995

State-wide civil rights law bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. As of March 2004, only fourteen states have enacted such protection.

1997

First year that a pro-marriage equality bill is introduced at the State House. The bill is introduced by then Rep. Michael Pisaturo.

1998

The state's sodomy statute is repealed. This statute had categorized consensual sodomy (including oral sex) between adults as a felony that was punishable by a jail sentence of up to twenty years.

Rhode Island becomes the second state in the America to change its hospital visitation laws so that an individual may name up to five people who should be treated as "immediate family" for purposes of visitation in a medical facility. Prior to this law, medical facilities possessed the right to deny visitation to anyone other than a legal spouse or immediate family member; the facilities could prevent same-gender partners from visiting one another, since same-gender partnerships were not legally recognized.

Rhode Island passes hate crimes law.

1999

Rhode Island law grants an individual the right to designate someone who is not next-of-kin (i.e., not a legal spouse or a family member) as the person responsible for taking charge of his or her mortal remains and arranging the funeral. This means that a gay man or lesbian can have his or her life partner perform these emotional, intimate tasks. Rhode Island is the first state in the nation to offer this simple gesture of dignity.

2001

Rhode Island becomes only the second state in the country to enact a transgender civil rights law; it outlaws discrimination on the basis of gender identity and/or expression in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations. As of March 2004, only four states offer such protection. Rhode Island passes Domestic Partner benefits for state workers.

2004

Marriage Equality RI begins its work under the name the Campaign for Marriage Equality. The group ensures that 90% of RI legislators hear directly from constituents about marriage equality. Bills for and against marriage equality are submitted in both the RI House and Senate. At bill hearings, several hundred people in favor of the bills attend and greatly outnumber those opposed by 10:1. Neither bills was voted out of committee – an expected outcome.

The RI Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice hold a press conference in support of marriage equality with 11 religious leaders from seven denominations speaking in support. Four Community Meetings are held by the Campaign for Marriage Equality and two major rallies are held at the statehouse with more than 200 people in attended for each. At one of the rallies, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox spontaneously came out to a roaring crowd. The first rally was also the first showing of Picture Equality, a photo petition in support of marriage equality.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) held a successfully rally on the steps of the state house. With a significant grant from the Human Rights Campaign, radio ads about marriage equality were run. These were the first media ads ever about GLBT civil rights. A “Bell Ringing for Marriage Equality” was held by religious organizations during their Sunday services.

The legalizing of marriage equality in Massachusetts brought a “Toast to Marriage Equality,” event in RI and the Campaign for Marriage Equality had a table at the annual PRIDE celebration where many people wore the group’s stickers in support of marriage equality. During the year, the Campaign for Marriage Equality was endorsed by nearly 50 LGBT and other organizations. By the end of 2004, Picture Equality has more than 350 photos. The Boston-based GLAD organization filed a lawsuit that included two RI couples, seeking to overturn the MA governor’s edict that out-of-state same-sex couples not be legally married in MA. At the end of 2004, the Campaign for Marriage Equality put out its first email newsletter.

2005

At the beginning of 2005, the organization changed its name to Marriage Equality RI (MERI). Bills were again introduced. This year no “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) was submitted in the House and the Senate version had only three sponsors – a drop of two from the previous year. MERI held a press conference with more than 100 people in attendance. The number of sponsors on the marriage equality bill in the House doubled over 2004. Every week during the legislative session, people lobbied legislators at the state house with the help of MERI.

MERI introduced its new website at www.MarriageEqualityRI.com. By February, Picture Equality had about 800 photos and MERI began distributing its first materials – bumper stickers and magnets. Three Community Meetings were held and MERI held a successful state house rally with more than 300 supporters in attendance. MERI also had its first fund-raiser, selling tickets to a play at Trinity Rep. Hearings were held on the marriage equality bills and the speakers were 3:1 in favor.

“Winning Equality: A Decade of Civil Rights Successes” was held with GLAD to celebrate the work of LGBT activists who participated in the inclusion of sexual orientation (10 year anniversary) and gender identity (four year anniversary) into the state’s civil rights law. Another “bell Ringing fro Marriage Equality” was held by religious organizations, including Bell Street Chapel, in front of the state house. MERI sent out hundreds of letters to neighborhoods around RI to educate folks on marriage equality.

2006

Marriage Equality Action Teams. Teams met with their legislators in Warwick and South County. Additional groups being formed.

Bowling for Marriage Equality Fundraiser.  MERI thanks Town Hall Lanes in Johnston for this fun family day.

Bill Introduction. Marriage equality bills were introduced at the State House with a press conference. An anti-marriage equality bill was submitted in the RI Senate (Senate Bill  No. 2310), which would prohibit same sex marriages in the state and would prohibit the state from recognizing a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage.

MERI on TV. MERI Cochairs Frank Ferri and Jenn Steinfeld discussed equal marriage rights for the GLBT community on RI Soapbox on Cox Cable channel 13.

Providence Black Repertory Company Fundraiser. Marriage Equality RI thanks: The Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.

 

 

For more details about what has happened in 2004, 2005 and 2006, please click on the "Our History" button on the left.