Our Mission
Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) is the only organization in Rhode Island whose mission is solely to achieve equality for all through policy change.
Core Values
Equality For All
Marriage Equality Rhode Island is a grassroots organization that works to secure equal marriage rights for all Rhode Island couples, regardless of sexual orientation or identity.
Our Goal
MERI's goal is to win access to marriage for all Rhode Island couples. With open access to marriage just across the border in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Rhode Island is uniquely poised to be a leader.
Our Belief
Civil marriage is a fundamental right. Each adult in Rhode Island-regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation-deserves legal protections through civil marriage.
Understanding Marriage Equality
There's a lot of misinformation out there about what we're asking for, why it matters, and why equality benefits us all. We dissect the main complaints and misunderstandings point-for-point.
We believe that the way to end marriage discrimination is to do just that. Civil unions create a separate status for same-sex couples. Our goal is still full marriage equality.
Rhode Island law protects and secures married couples and families in hundreds of ways. Here, we outline just a few of the rights and responsibilities currently denied to same-sex couples in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island boasts one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Economists could overlook the buying power of same-sex weddings as a matter of salvation for our struggling economy.
History teaches us that social institutions, political arrangements, and cultural norms must adapt in order to address changing societal circumstances. Marriage has changed over time and continues to evolve.
Supporting Our Community
Become an Ally
If you identify as straight or heterosexual, you can still make a difference for equality-even if you don't have any family or close friends seeking equal rights.
Children of Same-Sex Couples
Same-sex couples in Rhode Island and elsewhere are raising children. These children deserve the protections and security that having married parents would bring them.
Marriage Equality & Schools
Schools don't teach "gay marriage." Schools reflect the diversity of the student body and are compelled to create a safe, welcoming atmosphere for all students, including children of same-sex parents.
Your Voice Matters
Register To Vote
Registering to vote in Rhode Island is an easy process. We've outlined the basic rules and regulations, and provided a few helpful links to get you started.
Voter Information
Find out where to vote, when to vote, and what to do if you need to vote absentee or have other special circumstances.
Talk to Your Reps
Elected officials focus on constituent contact. They want to know who supports an issue, how many voters support it, why they support it and how it will impact their district.
MERI in Action
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Moved more than 30 members of the General Assembly to support marriage equality.
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Helped re-elect all of our sponsors, and elected seven new pro-equality legislators.
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Secured House and Senate hearings on marriage legislation each year.
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Blocked legislation, i.e. Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that precludes same-sex couples from pursuing the freedom to marry.
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Built a membership of more than 5,000 Rhode Islanders.
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Aired Rhode Island's first ever pro-equality rights radio ads.
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Formed "Picture Equality," a photo petition showing the faces of more than 1,000 Rhode Islanders who support equal marriage.
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Held weekly lobby days and annual Valentine's Day rallies, bringing more than 4,000 people to the State House.
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Raised more than $450,000.
Our Strategic Approach
Litigation is Complex
Successful marriage litigation is incredibly complex, with legal, political, and educational factors needing to be aligned. We believe there is good reason for caution about seeking relief from the RI Supreme Court.
Court Rulings are Difficult to Overturn
A loss in a marriage case can have ramifications for future attempts. Once a court rules that marriage is not constitutionally required, you can't just go back and ask them again.
The Courts in RI Aren't There Yet
To succeed, you have to present a question to the court that they're ready to answer in the affirmative. A marriage case needs to be seen as the next logical step in a court's dealings with families seeking equality.
There's Another Way: Legislation
Our partners continue to advocate on behalf of all people within the RI legal system. There may come a time when litigation is exactly the right strategic choice, but we believe that time has not yet come.
Slow & Steady
Rhode Island has achieved legislatively what few other states have. Rhode Island repealed its sodomy law without judicial intervention and was among the earliest states to pass anti-discrimination protections.
How We Create Change
State House Lobbying
MERI staff and community volunteers, as well as our partner organizations, continue to lobby legislators in the State House to build support for equal marriage.
Civic Engagement
MERI recruits, educates and trains volunteers throughout the state to build support for equal marriage in their communities and ensure members know the importance of voting.
Public Education & Media
MERI works to keep the issue of equal marriage in the news, and to teach people why marriage matters through grassroots and large-scale media campaigns.
Electoral Work
To ensure that we have the support to win in the State House, MERI works hard to elect pro-marriage legislators with a clear plan to elect more pro-equality candidates.