RI Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Marriage Equality Hearing

Hundreds of people dressed in red to show their support for same-sex marriage appeared before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Mar. 21 to weigh in on a marriage equality bill, sponsored by lesbian Senator Donna Nesselbush (D-Providence). Although a final vote could be months away, supporters believe this is the year for the state to join others in New England to permit gay marriage.

As of 4 a.m., 9 of the 10-members of the committee were still listening to testimony at the hearing, according to Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage. Among those who testified in favor of same-sex marriage were Governor Lincoln Chafee (I) and General Treasurer Gina Raimondo (D). In a letter to the committee, Chafee also registered his opposition to a referendum on same-sex marriage.

"I believe that equal protection under the law means that the fundamental rights of a minority should never be submitted to a vote for majority approval," Chafee wrote.

Although the governor has indicated his support of the legislation, the bill, which has already passed the House, will face its true test in the Senate. Although she has said she would allow a vote to take place, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed is a long-standing and outspoken opponent of marriage equality.

Much of the opposition to the legislation has been based on religious objections in what is a heavily Catholic state. To that end, State Senator Frank Ciccone (D-North Providence) has introduced another bill that would seek to place the question of allowing same-sex marriage on the 2014 ballot, but would allow religious leaders to refuse to perform same-sex weddings and small businesses like caterers and florists to decline to provide services to a gay wedding.

Opponents continue to claim that allowing gays and lesbians to wed would be an infringement on their religious freedoms.

"I will not be forced into [the] closet with my Bible,'" said Senator Harold Metts (D-Providence), a member of the Judiciary committee.

The committee did not vote on whether to move the legislation to the Senate floor, and Ciccone's bill seemed to appease neither marriage equality supporters nor detractors.

"I do not see this as a compromise but rather a caving in of our principles as human beings asking simply for equal rights under the law," said Dennis Byrnes from Cranston.

"Of course, putting the marriage issue on the ballot is unacceptable," said gay State Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Warwick). "It is an insult to all Americans to distort our constitution in such a way. The religious restrictions are also a slap in the face to our non-discrimination policies."

Senators Leo Raptakis (D-East Greenwich), James Doyle (D-Pawtucket), and Nick Kettle (R-Coventry) subsequently removed their names from the bill following widespread outrage from marriage equality activists.

In addition, Doyle announced for the first time he would support the marriage equality bill when it comes to a vote on the Senate floor.

"Ciccone knows that marriage for same-sex couples in Rhode Island is inevitable," said Wendy Becker of Providence. "He is offering a way to thwart full equality by calling it a compromise."

Religious Leaders Torn Over Same-Sex Marriage

The referendum idea won support from the leader of Providence's Roman Catholic Diocese, Bishop Thomas Tobin, who said citizens have a right to vote on same-sex marriage.

"We will continue to vigorously oppose efforts to redefine the institution of marriage in Rhode Island," Tobin said in a statement. "Nevertheless, the legislation introduced by Sen. Ciccone presents an eminently reasonable approach to this divisive issue."
Religious leaders who support same-sex marriage expressed a different view.

"There is nothing 'eminently reasonable' -- or Christian -- about legalizing discrimination against family, friends and fellow Rhode Islanders," said Reverend Gene Dyszlewski, chair of the Rhode Island Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. "A divisive and harmful referendum is folly enough, but to also use protecting people of faith as an excuse to legalize discrimination is just too much."

Rabbi Amy Levin, president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, said she felt that the exemption language of the Senate referendum bill flew in the face of our state's long-standing commitment of civic and religious leaders fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and mutual respect for diversity of opinions and beliefs.

"Dangerous ambiguities in the proposed legislation could be interpreted as state-mandated support for discrimination against almost anyone," said Levin.

The broad diversity within the faith community on this issue was the reason for the 'common sense exemptions' that affirm a religious institution's control over marriage within its faith tradition, said Reverend Don Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.

"That's why the bill overwhelmingly passed by the House, and was mirrored by Sen. Nesselbush's bill," said Anderson. "We urge the Senate to reject these broad and discriminatory exemptions. Faith should be used to uplift us and bring us closer together, never as an excuse to divide and exclude."

More support for same-sex marriage came from the Rhode Island Psychological Association, that said they were proud to support the freedom to marry for all committed Rhode Island couples.

"Denying all families and children of same-sex couples the unique protection and recognition of marriage places those children at risk of experiencing the profound and lasting impact of discriminatory practices," said Dr. Lisa Rocchio, president of the RIPA Board of Directors. "No family in the Ocean State should be told their love and relationships are somehow less valuable or meaningful than those of their friends, family and neighbors."

A recent poll conducted by Brown University' Taubman Center revealed 60.4 percent of Ocean State voters favor extending the freedom to marry to all Rhode Island families.