MERI Blog
Updates, news, action alerts and events from Marriage Equality Rhode Island.
It’s working
Grassroots campaigns work, and you just proved it.
A few minutes ago, I spoke to Rep. Jim Langevin who called to tell us that he will proudly add his name to the growing list of co-sponsors to The Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that will finally repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
Last month, we asked you to contact the members of our Congressional delegation about this important civil rights legislation, and the response was really amazing. Marriage Equality supporters all across Rhode Island logged thousands of calls and emails into the offices of Rep. Langevin and Sen. Jack Reed asking them to do the rights thing and support the Respect for Marriage Act.
You took action, and Jim Langevin listened. Now, let’s say ‘thank you.‘
This is a significant boost in momentum for the pro-equality movement, and you should be proud of the fact that you helped make it happen.
It’s working. All the phone calls, the emails and the door knocking is making a difference. If you keep this up, we’re going to have a major impact on the 2012 elections. Excited yet?
In Solidarity,
Ray Sullivan
Campaign Director
Miguel Luna - a passion for equality
The people have begun to gather at St. Michael the Archangel Church just a block from or so from our offices to say a final goodbye to a great friend of liberty and equality, Councilman Miguel Luna. We will always remember Miguel for his hearty laugh, his bear hugs, and his ever striving to make the world a better place for all people. May our struggle, and all the struggles that Miguel championed over his too, too brief life, always be strengthened by his memory. Our heartfelt condolences go to Miguel’s family. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with the world. He made a difference.
What’s wrong with Civil Unions?
The recent media coverage of how few couples actually entered into civil unions in July is shining a light on what we already know about this terrible Rhode Island civil union law. We know that the civil union law raises more questions than answers about how same-sex couples can really protect our families. Between the giant loophole for religious entities, the bill’s silence on how existing marriages will be treated, the inability to ever access federal protections through a civil union, and the very real concern that no one else understands what protections a civil union really provides, same-sex couples are understandably cautious before rushing into this lesser status the general assembly saw fit to establish for LGBT people only.
But the explanations for these low numbers by both supporters of the law and opponents of equality are just missing the point. People are not waiting for the end of the summer to rush to City Hall and get a civil union license. About 14,000 Illinois couples have applied for licenses under their civil union law over two months. Couples in New York certainly weren’t stopped by the slower pace of summer living. In the first DAY marriage licenses were available to same-sex couples in New York, an estimated 1,200 couples applied. We know that same-sex couples need the protections that civil unions are supposed to provide, but the civil union law simply has too many unknowns. Why should gay and lesbian couples have to spend money, time, and aggravation to figure out what a civil union really means in Rhode Island? Additionally, many same-sex couples have already been married out of state. Why would those couples want to pay to get their marriage downgraded to an arbitrary second-class status?
As for our friends at NOM, Chris Plante is exactly right that the struggle for marriage equality is not just about rights or benefits or privileges. It’s about fairness and equality and dignity. Marriage equality is a concept, a philosophy, that ALL loving committed couples should be treated the same. People want to get MARRIED so they can stand up in front of their friends and families and proclaim their love for one another. People want the stability and recognition that comes with marriage. They want to talk about their husband or wife and have people just understand the value of that relationship. It’s time we had elected officials that understood what marriage means and why it’s important. It’s time for politicians to understand that equality is not something you can “compromise” on. The LGBT citizens of Rhode Island deserve to be treated equally.
Tell us in the comments why you don’t want a Rhode Island civil union. We’ll share these stories with the supporters of the bill so they hear firsthand why we’re waiting for marriage.
Pat Baker, Hero
I had the honor of working alongside Pat Baker in the past few months. MERI put out a statement that I wanted to share as well as some other articles about her passing.
Marriage Equality Rhode Island Board Chair Martha Holt issued the following statement Monday:
“Rhode Island has lost a great champion for civil rights and we have all lost a dear friend. Pat Baker personified courage and demonstrated remarkable strength in her lifetime. Her gentle, determined voice became synonymous with the equality movement, and she demonstrated to all that love truly does make a family.
While she never sought to be hero, Pat most certainly was, and we will miss her terribly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her family and friends, especially her wife, Deborah.“
Also, Bob Plain wrote an excellent blog post.
http://www.630wpro.com/article.asp?id=2261731&spid=40611
Here’s the post in the Projo http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/08/gay-rights-advocate-diesready.html
Sen. Whitehouse shares stories from real Rhode Islanders who are negatively affected by DOMA
Earlier today, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse used his time in the Judiciary Committee to read the stories of real Rhode Islanders who are adversely and unnecessarily impacted by the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. For the first time, the committee heard testimony on the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would finally repeal DOMA and remove a critical hurdle to thousands of gay and lesbian couples in loving, committed relationships.
We’re fortunate that Sen. Whitehouse and Rep. Cicilline are both co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, but we have some work to do to get Sen. Reed and Rep. Langevin onboard. After you watch Sen. Whitehouse’s compelling testimony, please take a minute to contact Reed and Langevin and ask them to support this important civil rights bill.
Tell Sen. Reed & Rep. Langevin to support the Respect for Marriage Act
DOMA has got to go.
For roughly 15 years, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act has allowed the Federal government to intentionally discriminate against thousands of Rhode Island couples in loving, committed relationships. It’s wrong, and for the first time, we have a chance to finally bring this punitive law to an end.
Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to take testimony on the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would repeal DOMA, and remove a critical barrier to gay and lesbian Rhode Islanders who are only seeking equal protection and recognition under the law. I need you to contact Senator Reed and Congressman Langevin, right now, and ask them to support this important civil rights bill.
Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Cicilline are already key co-sponsors to the Respect for Marriage Act, but we need all four members of our delegation to lend their names and voices to the effort to abolish DOMA.
You can make a difference by telling Senator Reed and Congressman Langevin that it’s time to join the majority of Rhode Islanders who support ending the intentional and discriminatory exclusion from marriage.
Thanks again for all that you do.
In Solidarity,
Ray Sullivan
Campaign Director
Working to achieve equal civil marriage rights for same-sex couples, ensuring equal respect, rights and protections for all Rhode Island families.
Marriage Equality Rhode Island
17 Gordon Avenue # 205, Providence, RI 02905 (401) 941-2727
What’s a civil union anyway?
While many of us have mixed feelings about the civil union bill that was recently signed into law, we recognize that it has the potential to provide some rights and benefits to couples in loving, committed relationships. We’re still fighting to pass marriage equality legislation in Rhode Island, but for those who are interested, we’re collecting information about the new civil union law and will pass it along as quickly as we can.
What does a civil union mean to you?
Understandably, many people have questions about how to apply for a civil union, and what types of protections it will provide for your family. MERI and GLAD are putting together a FAQ sheet to answer some common questions. In the meantime, GLAD has a legal hotline and email form where they are fielding questions. http://www.glad.org/rights/infoline-contact
How do you get a civil union?
The Department of Health has put out a FAQ document explaining how to obtain a civil union. Here is the link: http://www.health.ri.gov/publications/frequentlyaskedquestions/CivilUnions.pdf
Here is a list of clergy who can perform a civil union ceremony: (Updated July 8, 2011 at 10:16pm)
Reverend Betsy Aldrich Garland
United Church of Christ
(401) 463-8697
Rev. Gene Dyszlewski
United Church of Christ
(401) 941-2727
Reverend Janet Cooper Nelson
(401) 863-2344
Pastor David Martin
Saint Therese Old Catholic Church
(401) 680-9076
Pastor Jakob Thibault
Holy Paraclete Old Catholic Church
(401) 218-0706
Rhode Island Superior Court: (401) 222-3215
Please also feel free to call the office at any time and we will do our best to answer questions or direct you to the proper resource. (401) 941-2727.
Martha Holt responds to Governor Chafee’s decision to sign the flawed civil union bill
“We are remarkably disappointed in this governor for signing his name to a bill that creates a second class citizenry for thousands of lesbian and gay couples in loving, committed relationships. The injustice of this bill is eloquently captured in the governor’s signing statement, which critiques the bill, particularly for its inclusion of the discriminatory Corvese Amendment. This fundamental unfairness is only magnified by the fact that the governor had to sign this piece of legislation without any fan fare and with next to no one standing beside him.
Make no mistake about it, this bill not only falls short of providing equal rights and protection, but will undoubtedly cause significant harm to same-sex couples in every corner of Rhode Island. This governor had pledged to push for marriage equality legislation and we hope that he will soon return to that commitment and join us in the effort to make it a reality.
While this legislation will provide some rights and benefits to gay and lesbian couples who have been denied them for far too long, only the freedom to marry can guarantee the full measure of recognition and protection that all citizens deserve. We will not stop fighting until the day when all Rhode Islanders are respected and treated equally under the law. We will not stop fighting until marriage equality legislation is finally passed in this state.”
Fundamentally flawed civil union bill passes the RI Senate
Marriage Equality Rhode Island Board Chair Martha Holt issued the following statement today after the Senate’s vote to pass civil union legislation containing the dangerous and discriminatory Corvese Amendment:
“We are extremely disappointed that the Senate brazenly ignored the commonsense objections raised by equality and civil rights leaders here and across the country. This civil union bill contains dangerous and discriminatory language that, without question, will cause significant harm to countless gay and lesbian couples in loving, committed relationships, and we will continue to fight it through whatever means are necessary. Furthermore, we renew our request that the governor veto this hurtful and ill conceived bill. To not do so would be a slap in the face to the gay and lesbian community, and every Rhode Islander who cares about equal rights and protections for all our state’s citizens.”
Contact Governor Chafee’s office at (401) 222-2080.
MERI, National Marriage Groups call on Chafee to Veto Civil Union Bill with Discriminatory Corvese
Marriage Equality Rhode Island joined with prominent national marriage equality advocates to call on Gov. Lincoln Chafee to veto civil union legislation if the State Senate passes it with the controversial and discriminatory Corvese amendment included. The measure is expected to be taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow afternoon.
“The bill put forth by the legislature would create onerous and discriminatory hurdles for same-sex couples that no other state has ever put in place. As a result, we ask you to veto the bill should it come to your desk in its present form,” MERI and nine other civil rights and pro-equality groups wrote in a letter sent today to Chafee. The list of the signers include: MERI, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, The Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Center for Lesbian Rights, The Family Equality Council, as well as The American Civil Liberties Union.
On Monday, 14 legislators penned a similar letter to Chafee, House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed demanding that the broad and discriminatory Corvese Amendment be removed from the bill.
The Corvese amendment was purported to be about providing additional exemptions and protections to faith organizations, but in reality, it would allow any religiously-affiliated organization, including hospitals, day care centers, schools or cemeteries to openly and intentionally discriminate against civil union spouses. This means that hospitals, like Our Lady of Fatima or St. Joseph’s, could refuse to allow a spouse to visit their dying partner or make medical decisions in an emergency situation.
“By allowing individuals and institutions a free-floating license to discriminate against a whole class of people, in defiance of a general law, this bill represents a huge step backward from both Rhode Island’s longstanding nondiscrimination commitments and the balance and language embraced in the law throughout the country. This amendment could allow individuals, who are legally required to recognize everyone else’s legal commitments, to opt out of doing so only for gay and lesbian people,” the letter said.
For weeks, pro-equality advocates have spoken out on the dangers of the Corvese amendment, with leaders saying that it would be the most broad and discriminatory language to be included in any marriage or civil union bill anywhere in the country.
“This bill cannot be allowed to pass in its current form. If the House and Senate lack the fortitude or political courage to remove this bigoted and hurtful language from the civil union legislation, then the Governor will have no reasonable choice other than to veto the bill,” MERI Board Chair Martha Holt said.
“The Corvese Amendment condones and codifies discrimination, it has the potential to harm thousands of Rhode Islanders in loving, committed relationships, and we are asking the governor do all in his power to prevent it from becoming law” Holt said.
“Rhode Island has always been a beacon of protecting the separation of church and state,” said Marc Solomon, national campaign director for Freedom to Marry. “Unfortunately, the pending Rhode Island legislation flies in the face of that proud history. It adds insult to injury by enshrining civil union, a separate-and-unequal status, in law while granting license to religious organizations and their employees to discriminate against same-sex couples. We know that Rhode Island can do better.”
“The Corvese amendment actually diminishes protections already available under Rhode Island law, and is seriously damaging to Rhode Island’s gay and lesbian families. If it becomes law, there is trouble ahead for Rhode Island’s same-sex couples,” said Karen Loewy, senior staff attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders.
— recently posted —
MERI to Reed: 103 days is not ‘very shortly’
posted 3 weeks, 5 days, 1 hour, 46 minutes ago
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Rebekah Reid of Woonsocket supports marriage equality. Meet Rebekah and other real Rhode Islanders in our Friends & Neighbors gallery.
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