Marriage Equality Rhode Island

Paul Hoffman & Duane Costa
of McDonald, Pennsylvania

I believe in Marriage Equality because my partner and I have been together over 17 years now and we deserve the right to be married - in Rhode Island, our home state, or in any state for that matter. We work and pay taxes, we own a home, we vote, we deserve the SAME rights as anyone to marry the person we love.

Elizabeth Donovan
of Narragansett, Rhode Island

In November 2009 my daughter married her partner of several years in a lovely ceremony held in Massachusetts. Both brides wore gowns. Both families were thrilled. Friends and relatives celebrated at a truly joyous party. It brings me great happiness that my daughter has found a person to share her life with and that they both wanted to commit to each other and were able to do so legally. I hope that soon every son and daughter in Rhode Island will be able to marry the person they love.

Walter J. Reis
of North Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because ALL citizens should be afforded the same rights, privileges, and protections.

xiomara rodriguez
of pawtokect, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because, we have free will by natural law! and this is a land that promote freedom! we are human as any body also, a lot of people are suffering because Doma . stop Doma and stop injustice, gay and lesbian have rights as any american citizen.

Douglas Gibson Jr
of Phoenix, Arizona

I believe in Marriage Equality because my same sex partner and I have been together for 30 years. We are legally married in California and are hoping that someday, same sex marriage will be legal in all states.

Michael Airhart
of Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because I believe in freedom of religion. In a nation that values religious freedom, no religious group should possess the power to define and limit civil and social institutions for persons who are affiliated with other religious groups, or who are not religiously affiliated. A society that truly values religious freedom must protect itself from attempts by religious interest groups to increase their own power and privilege at the expense of religious freedom and equal opportunity for all.

Alexandria D'Angelo
of Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because there is no moral, logical, ethical or factual reason not to. I believe in Marriage Equality because I believe in what's fair... and being denied my civil rights as a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen is not fair.

Catherine Robinson
of Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because while it may seem like "just a piece of paper" it means so much more to us. We pay the same taxes, and if we file as married we actually pay more, we shop at the same stores, have the same fights, and face the same fears. We were married in Iowa, when we lived there, and want all couples to experience the stress, joy, and hope that we now have.

Kimberly Sawicki
of Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because as a lesbian here in RI my rights are not equal rights. I was born here in the United States of America where in the declaration of human rights article 1, states that "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." But since I'm not heterosexual my rights are now seperate not equal. Which is not fair, since the government and other political people don't like our ideas of a way of life they can govern over myself and the rest of the LGBT community and turn us into second-class citizens. I'm far from a second class citizen. I work in a field where I'm caring for peoples lives. And I don't judge them on anything, they are people. We all are humans, and we all deserve equality. Rhode Island, as a resident of 24 years here, don't you think its time to step up and realize we aren't living in the 1800's. It's 2009, give us our equality.

Lydia Sharlow
of Providence, Rhode Island

I believe in Marriage Equality because love is a matter of the heart and soul.