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R.I. House approves civil unions
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| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision May 22, 2011 12:16pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Sunday, May 22, 2011 06:15:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | For David Olsen and Leonard Flood, Thursday’s vote by the Rhode Island House of Representatives will not bring equality, but it could be a step toward some tangible benefits — more affordable health coverage for Flood, fewer legal hurdles as they plan for the future, and perhaps, greater acceptance.
The couple, who married in Massachusetts last fall, are among those who see the 62-to-11 House vote as a victory.
“Marriage equality is our number-one priority, but we’ll take the civil unions bill,” said Olsen, 57, who is treasurer for the City of Warwick. “What I would be disappointed in is if nothing passed.”
The civil-unions bill — opposed by hundreds who came out to testify last week and thousands, according to one lawmaker’s count, who signed petitions — did indeed pass in the House, with a vote that cut across party lines, even as it left lawmakers at odds over where the issue goes from here and what people in Rhode Island really want.
Supporters called the vote a historic victory, one that provides important rights to same-sex couples despite falling short of full marriage equality.
“I believe that it is a step forward,” said Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, who is openly gay and has long championed the same-sex marriage issue. “There are many couples that need these rights and, today, they know now when they go to the hospital, when they go to a nursing home, their property is protected, they have rights that they didn’t have — as soon as the Senate passes it and the governor signs it.” |
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