Special thanks to Senate Republican Minority Leader Dennis Algiere for helping get the bill through the Senate
Rhode Island has become the last state in New England and the tenth state in the nation to enact Marriage Equality legislation.
The House vote was 56-15 and the measure was signed by Governor Chafee at a special signing ceremony this afternoon that started at 5:45 PM on the south steps of the State Capitol.
Members of the audience in the House Gallery broke out in the singing of "My Country Tis of Thee" and by the time they reached the final line, "let freedom ring," I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house. I have never heard that song sung with more meaning.
You can watch the entire floor debate by clicking here. The singing begins after the vote and after the applause and totally by surprise to members of the House at around minute 71.
Pressure from both supporters and opponents has been fierce on state legislators. Sen. Dennis Algiere (R-Westerly, Charlestown and So. Kingstown) was a special target for both sides, though he himself noted that he received more than a few threats from anti-gay callers and from the Catholic Church.
Algiere decided to vote his conscience and what he saw as a question of equal protection under law. Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy has been silent on the issue and absent from key votes. Until now.
In an e-mail released Wednesday night, Kennedy said "in the end, I think the majority of state legislators recognized that people should have the freedom to marry and enjoy a loving and committed relationship with the person they love."
The only local legislative opponent to marriage equality is Rep. Sam Azzinaro (D-Westerly). He told the Westerly Sun his NO vote was one in defense of the "sacrament of marriage" rather than judging anyone. I looked up the oath of office each legislator swears and found no reference in it to upholding any sacrament, only the Constitution and laws of the State of Rhode Island and the United States.
In his remarks on the floor, before casting his no vote, Azzinaro again made it plain that he places his loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church above his duties as a representative of all the people.
Governor Lincoln Chafee sent this message out earlier today:
This evening, on the steps of the Rhode Island State House, I plan to sign the Rhode Island Marriage Equality Act into law.
This is the same spot where, in my January 2011 inaugural address, I called for our state to live up to the ideals of its founders and embrace marriage equality. Today, we finally will.
This would not be possible without the many, many Rhode Islanders who have fought for decades to extend the right of marriage to all the people of our state. I am pleased that some of them will be there with us this evening when the Marriage Equality Act becomes law. Sadly, some of them, such as the late Julie Pell, will not. But they will be there in spirit.
When I sign the Marriage Equality Act into law this evening, I will be thinking of the advocates who have dedicated countless hours to the fight for equality and fairness. I will be thinking of how Rhode Island is, at last, upholding its legacy as a place founded on the principles of tolerance and diversity. But I will also be thinking, as all governors must, about the economy. Marriage equality is an economic development issue, in addition to one of civil rights and basic fairness. We want to have the welcome mat out for the best and brightest – those who will help Rhode Island prosper in the new economy.
I made the case for the economic value of equality in a New York Times op-ed, which you can read here: Why I Am Signing Marriage Equality Into Law.
This truly is a historic day for our great state. I hope you can join me at the State House tonight at 5:45 p.m. to help celebrate Rhode Island’s proud history of independence and freedom and our bright future of tolerance and acceptance.
Sincerely,
Lincoln D. Chafee
Governor
