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Congratulations to all LGBT couples who will now be free to marry. There are still people denied their right to marry the person(s) they love in these states, so let's keep evolving towards full marriage equality in these states and nationally!
Showing posts with label Rhode Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rhode Island. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Congratulations to Rhode Island and Minnesota
Congratulations to all LGBT couples who will now be free to marry. There are still people denied their right to marry the person(s) they love in these states, so let's keep evolving towards full marriage equality in these states and nationally!
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Congratulations to Rhode Island and Minnesota
Congratulations to all LGBT couples who will now be free to marry. There are still people denied their right to marry the person(s) they love in these states, so let's keep evolving towards full marriage equality in these states and nationally!
Friday, May 3, 2013
No, Rhode Island Does Not Have Equality - Yet
Congratulations to all of the people in Rhode Island who will now be free to marry because the state has become the latest to adopt the limited same-gender freedom to marry!
Many of the statements from politicians and reports of this have said that Rhode Island adopted marriage equality, but this is not quite accurate. There are adults who are allowed to share their lives, including sex and raising children, able to live as spouses, who are still denied their right to marry.
For example, Rhode Island is the most progressive state when it come to consanguinamory. There are no restrictions on consanguineous sex between adults.
This means that people in consanguinamorous relationships are not breaking any law in Rhode Island. Since they are not breaking any law, since they are legally free to be together and raise children together if they want, why are they denied their right to marry?
There are people of all sexual orientations in polyamorous relationships who also continue to be denied their right to marry.
This is why full marriage equality is needed. An adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion, should be free to marry any and all consenting adults, protected from prosecution, bullying, and discrimination. Equality "just for some" or in some ways, but not others, is not equality. Let's stand up for every adult's right to marry the person(s) she or he loves.
So, Rhode Island does not have full marriage equality... yet. But it is a state that easily could get there. Keep evolving, Rhode Island! There is no good reason to stop short of full marriage equality.
No, Rhode Island Does Not Have Equality - Yet
Congratulations to all of the people in Rhode Island who will now be free to marry because the state has become the latest to adopt the limited same-gender freedom to marry!
Many of the statements from politicians and reports of this have said that Rhode Island adopted marriage equality, but this is not quite accurate. There are adults who are allowed to share their lives, including sex and raising children, able to live as spouses, who are still denied their right to marry.
For example, Rhode Island is the most progressive state when it come to consanguinamory. There are no restrictions on consanguineous sex between adults.
This means that people in consanguinamorous relationships are not breaking any law in Rhode Island. Since they are not breaking any law, since they are legally free to be together and raise children together if they want, why are they denied their right to marry?
There are people of all sexual orientations in polyamorous relationships who also continue to be denied their right to marry.
This is why full marriage equality is needed. An adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion, should be free to marry any and all consenting adults, protected from prosecution, bullying, and discrimination. Equality "just for some" or in some ways, but not others, is not equality. Let's stand up for every adult's right to marry the person(s) she or he loves.
So, Rhode Island does not have full marriage equality... yet. But it is a state that easily could get there. Keep evolving, Rhode Island! There is no good reason to stop short of full marriage equality.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Rhode Island to Become 10th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage
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The bill has been approved by both houses of the RI legislature; the state senate made some minor changes last week. A procedural vote is scheduled for tomorrow and RI Governor Lincoln Chafee is expected to sign the bill into law shortly thereafter. Once signed by Gov. Chafee, the law takes effect August 1st.
RI is the only New England state not to have approved same-sex marriages. A bill has been introduced into the RI legislature every year since 1997.
Although civil unions were approved by the RI legislature two years ago, only a few couples have sought this status. Last night at midnight, Colorado passed legislation approving civil unions and it's legislature is now expected to sponsor same-sex marriage legislation.
In Iowa, the state legislature has voted to cut the salaries of the 4 justices that remain on the Iowa Supreme Court from their decision striking down a ban on same-sex marriage on grounds that the law violated Iowa's constitution. [Note: the other three justices that were part of the unanimous 2009 decision did not make it past the 2010 state elections.]
All this activity across the country has feed speculation among legal scholars as to what SCOTUS will do with the companion cases that were argued last month. The consensus posits that SCOTUS will avoid a sweeping constitutional ruling along the lines of Roe v Wade and instead, will issue an opinion that the same-sex marriage issue is a matter to be decided on a state-by-state basis.
The SCOTUS term ends on June 20th; an opinion on the same-sex marriage issue is expected between now and then.
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Rhode Island Should Make a Bold Move For Equality
Rachel Weiner reports at washingtonpost.com on developments in Rhode Island...
Rhode Island is in a unique position for US states as far as adopting full marriage equality as it has no laws against consanguinamory. This means that there are currently consanguinamorous households existing in the Rhode Island without violating any laws. The citizens of Rhode Island in such relationships should also have their right to marry, if that is what they want to do.
The lawmakers of Rhode Island should adopt a law that reflects this policy...
In Rhode Island, an entire delegation to the state Senate backs gay marriage - and it’s the Republicans.Other states within the US are progressing, too, including Illinois, Nevada, and Delaware. In other countries, New Zealand just adopted the limited same-gender freedom to marry, France is coming online, and there is progress elsewhere as well.
Rhode Island Public Radio reports that all five Republican members of the state’s upper chamber will support a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.
The state House voted in favor of gay marriage earlier this year; it’s now before the Senate Judiciary Committee and could see a vote in the full Senate by the end of the week.
Rhode Island is in a unique position for US states as far as adopting full marriage equality as it has no laws against consanguinamory. This means that there are currently consanguinamorous households existing in the Rhode Island without violating any laws. The citizens of Rhode Island in such relationships should also have their right to marry, if that is what they want to do.
The lawmakers of Rhode Island should adopt a law that reflects this policy...
An adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion, should be free to share love, sex, residence, and marriage with any and all consenting adults, without prosecution, harassment, or discrimination.
There are many reasons why they should do this.
1. There are adults in Rhode Island, and in some cases their children, suffering right now because of discriminatory laws preventing them from marrying. If we really care about children, equality, stability, security, and valuing family, we will let people decide for themselves what kind of relationships they will have, including marriage, if they want to marry.
2. As US Supreme Court precedent states, marriage is a fundamental civil right.
3. As US Supreme Court precedent states, when the government intrudes on choices concerning family living arrangements, the usual deference to the legislature is inappropriate, and the Court must examine carefully the importance of the governmental interests advanced and the extent to which they are served by the challenged regulation.
4. Freedom of association for consenting adults is a basic Constitutional right. Just as there is no good reason to ban interracial relationships or marriage, there is no good reason to ban same-gender relationships or marriages, polyamorous relationships or polygamous marriages, or consanguinamorous relationships or consanguineous marriages. There is no good reason to limit marriage to narrowly exogamous heterosexual couples.
5. Freedom of religion is a basic Constitutional right. One group’s religion should not deny the rights of other consenting adults to be together or marry. Conversely, some religions recognize or promote marriages currently banned under laws in most or all fifty states, depending on the marriages.
7. The momentum within the US, neighboring countries, and the modern world is for marriage equality. Full marriage equality is inevitable, as even many opponents of equality admit. So it is pointless to drag the fight out.
8. Recognizing relationships rights, including full marriage equality, for all adults is good for business, as many businesses have publicly stated. Their employees will no longer be treated as second-class citizens.
There are people who love each other, who have been living as spouses, even have children together, who are denied their rights, who need and want full marriage equality.
Let’s get on the right side of history sooner rather than later, and put the hate, bigotry, and bullying behind us. Rhode Island should protect the rights of all adults in the state.
Rhode Island Should Make a Bold Move For Equality
Rachel Weiner reports at washingtonpost.com on developments in Rhode Island...
Rhode Island is in a unique position for US states as far as adopting full marriage equality as it has no laws against consanguinamory. This means that there are currently consanguinamorous households existing in the Rhode Island without violating any laws. The citizens of Rhode Island in such relationships should also have their right to marry, if that is what they want to do.
The lawmakers of Rhode Island should adopt a law that reflects this policy...
In Rhode Island, an entire delegation to the state Senate backs gay marriage - and it’s the Republicans.Other states within the US are progressing, too, including Illinois, Nevada, and Delaware. In other countries, New Zealand just adopted the limited same-gender freedom to marry, France is coming online, and there is progress elsewhere as well.
Rhode Island Public Radio reports that all five Republican members of the state’s upper chamber will support a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.
The state House voted in favor of gay marriage earlier this year; it’s now before the Senate Judiciary Committee and could see a vote in the full Senate by the end of the week.
Rhode Island is in a unique position for US states as far as adopting full marriage equality as it has no laws against consanguinamory. This means that there are currently consanguinamorous households existing in the Rhode Island without violating any laws. The citizens of Rhode Island in such relationships should also have their right to marry, if that is what they want to do.
The lawmakers of Rhode Island should adopt a law that reflects this policy...
An adult, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion, should be free to share love, sex, residence, and marriage with any and all consenting adults, without prosecution, harassment, or discrimination.
There are many reasons why they should do this.
1. There are adults in Rhode Island, and in some cases their children, suffering right now because of discriminatory laws preventing them from marrying. If we really care about children, equality, stability, security, and valuing family, we will let people decide for themselves what kind of relationships they will have, including marriage, if they want to marry.
2. As US Supreme Court precedent states, marriage is a fundamental civil right.
3. As US Supreme Court precedent states, when the government intrudes on choices concerning family living arrangements, the usual deference to the legislature is inappropriate, and the Court must examine carefully the importance of the governmental interests advanced and the extent to which they are served by the challenged regulation.
4. Freedom of association for consenting adults is a basic Constitutional right. Just as there is no good reason to ban interracial relationships or marriage, there is no good reason to ban same-gender relationships or marriages, polyamorous relationships or polygamous marriages, or consanguinamorous relationships or consanguineous marriages. There is no good reason to limit marriage to narrowly exogamous heterosexual couples.
5. Freedom of religion is a basic Constitutional right. One group’s religion should not deny the rights of other consenting adults to be together or marry. Conversely, some religions recognize or promote marriages currently banned under laws in most or all fifty states, depending on the marriages.
7. The momentum within the US, neighboring countries, and the modern world is for marriage equality. Full marriage equality is inevitable, as even many opponents of equality admit. So it is pointless to drag the fight out.
8. Recognizing relationships rights, including full marriage equality, for all adults is good for business, as many businesses have publicly stated. Their employees will no longer be treated as second-class citizens.
There are people who love each other, who have been living as spouses, even have children together, who are denied their rights, who need and want full marriage equality.
Let’s get on the right side of history sooner rather than later, and put the hate, bigotry, and bullying behind us. Rhode Island should protect the rights of all adults in the state.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Rhode Island and Illinois Could Increase Freedom to Marry
The two US states are already progressive on consanguineous sex, as Rhode Island has no laws against it and Illinois doesn't prosecute if the lovers are adults. Now, both states are considering legislation to adopt the limited same-gender freedom to marry.
This is a step in the right direction.
Both states should adopt relationship rights for all adults, including full marriage equality. There is no reason why, for example, a grown woman should be denied the freedom to marry another woman, or two women, or a man and a woman, even if one of them is her sibling. It doesn't hurt anyone else.
I call on the lawmakers of Rhode Island and Illinois to lead the way in the US to full marriage equality.
This is a step in the right direction.
Both states should adopt relationship rights for all adults, including full marriage equality. There is no reason why, for example, a grown woman should be denied the freedom to marry another woman, or two women, or a man and a woman, even if one of them is her sibling. It doesn't hurt anyone else.
I call on the lawmakers of Rhode Island and Illinois to lead the way in the US to full marriage equality.
Rhode Island and Illinois Could Increase Freedom to Marry
The two US states are already progressive on consanguineous sex, as Rhode Island has no laws against it and Illinois doesn't prosecute if the lovers are adults. Now, both states are considering legislation to adopt the limited same-gender freedom to marry.
This is a step in the right direction.
Both states should adopt relationship rights for all adults, including full marriage equality. There is no reason why, for example, a grown woman should be denied the freedom to marry another woman, or two women, or a man and a woman, even if one of them is her sibling. It doesn't hurt anyone else.
I call on the lawmakers of Rhode Island and Illinois to lead the way in the US to full marriage equality.
This is a step in the right direction.
Both states should adopt relationship rights for all adults, including full marriage equality. There is no reason why, for example, a grown woman should be denied the freedom to marry another woman, or two women, or a man and a woman, even if one of them is her sibling. It doesn't hurt anyone else.
I call on the lawmakers of Rhode Island and Illinois to lead the way in the US to full marriage equality.
