With Rhode Island’s marriage equality law set to take effect Aug. 1, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) extended congratulations to the same-sex couples who will soon exchange wedding vows in the Ocean State. The implementation of Rhode Island’s new law means that same-sex couples can now legally marry in all six New England States, the goal of GLAD’s “6 x 12” campaign.

“Congratulations to all of the loving, committed Rhode Island couples who can now marry and enjoy the dignity and security of having their marriage recognized at home and by the federal government,” said Lee Swislow, GLAD’s executive director. “We are joyful and proud that each of the six New England states recognizes the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.”

GLAD was an active part of the coalition that worked for many years to secure marriage rights for same-sex couples in Rhode Island through legal work, public education, and providing strategic expertise.

The implementation of Rhode Island’s marriage law is a culmination of GLAD’s 6×12 campaign, an initiative to ensure that all six New England states had marriage equality by the year 2012.

The campaign was launched on November 18, 2008, the fifth anniversary of the historic decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the GLAD lawsuit that made Massachusetts the first state where gay couples could legally marry. At the time 6×12 was launched, the only other New England state with marriage equality was Connecticut, the result of GLAD’s successful litigation in Kerrigan v. Department of Public Health. Couples had just begun marrying in Connecticut six days earlier.

In addition to its work in Rhode Island, GLAD collaborated with statewide equality groups to bring marriage equality to New Hampshire and Vermont legislatively, and in Maine through the ballot initiative process.

“We missed our goal of 6×12 by only four and a half months,” said Swislow. “I’d call that a major victory. And the spotlight that marriage equality has shone on our community will enable us to keep the ball rolling and address a myriad of other issues we face. We’ll keep moving forward.”

Aug. 1 also marks the start of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Minnesota, which enacted its marriage equality law soon after Rhode Island.

When Rhode Island’s marriage equality bill was signed into law on May 1, 2013, same-sex couples began looking forward to August 1, 2013, the law’s effective date.  Thoughts may have turned to cakes and invitation lists, but couples also should prepare by educating themselves about the legal practicalities of marriage.

To help couples plan ahead and avoid legal pitfalls, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, together with Marriage Equality Rhode Island and Rhode Islanders United for Marriage will offer a free webinar on Thursday, July 11, from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.

GLAD Attorney Janson Wu will present marriage basics and answer questions such as:

• What does Rhode Island require of couples who intend to marry?
• How will marriage affect my children?
• With the fall of DOMA, how will federal law treat my marriage?
• What if I already had a civil union in RI or was married in another state?

The webinar will include ample time for questions from participants.  Couples who are interested in signing up for the webinar can register online at https://www.gladlaw.org/rimarriage

##

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, together with Marriage Equality Rhode Island and Rhode Islanders United for Marriage presented a webinar to answer legla and logistical questions same-sex couples may have about marriage in Rhode Island.

Contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine at 800-455-GLAD or www.gladlaw.org/rights with your specific questions.

Watch a recording of the webinar:

Useful Links:

Download the Webinar Slides

GLAD’s Rhode Island Marriage Guide for Same-Sex Couples

The Rhode Island Department of Health:  Information on Marriage Licenses

City/Town Clerks in Rhode Island

Protecting Families: Standards for LGBT Families:

Today, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed into law a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island. The Ocean State is now the nation’s 10th marriage equality state and the final New England state to approve marriage for same-sex couples. The bill signing brings to a close Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders’ “6 x 12 Campaign” to make New England a marriage equality zone.

The new marriage law takes effect August 1, 2013. GLAD has published the Rhode Island Marriage Guide a resource for couples considering marriage. The comprehensive guide details important information like how to obtain a marriage license, what will happen to Rhode Island civil unions, what to do if you already have a marriage, civil union or domestic partnership from another state; the protections that couples gain when they’re married in Rhode Island, and more.

“It was thrilling to see Governor Chafee sign the marriage bill into law and affirm the equality of same-sex couples in Rhode Island who want to publicly declare their love and commitment by joining in marriage,” said Janson Wu, a staff attorney at GLAD. “Thousands of Rhode Islanders have waited and worked hard for many years to ensure that all families would have the respect and recognition that only marriage provides, and today is the culmination of their steadfast commitment to equality. This is a joyous milestone for the Ocean State and for our nation. GLAD salutes all of our coalition partners at Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, who worked so skillfully to bring us to this historic point.”

Read more.

The Rhode Island Senate has schedule a vote on SB38, which would allow same-sex couples to marry in the sate, for today at 4 p.m. If the Senate passes the bill, it will then go back to the House for reconciliation with the version passed by that chamber in January. Governor Lincoln Chafee has pledged to sign the bill into law when it reaches his desk.

You can follow proceedings this afternoon on Twitter with @RIUnited and @GLADLaw.

For more information, visit www.riunitedformarriage.org.

Today, the Rhode Island Senate teed up history with a bipartisan vote of 26 to 12 in favor of legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry. Governor Lincoln Chafee has pledged to sign the bill, which will make Rhode Island the 10th state – in addition to the District of Columbia – where same-sex couples can marry. It will also be the final New England state to grant the freedom to marry to same-sex couples.

“Today the Rhode Island Senate simply affirmed what the majority of their constituents believe: that loving, committed same-sex couples in Rhode Island need and deserve the dignity and respect that only marriage can provide,” said Janson Wu, staff attorney for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “Marriage makes for stronger families, which in turn makes for stronger communities. This is a momentous day for all Rhode Islanders.

“GLAD is grateful to all of the Senators who joined their House colleagues to support fairness for all Rhode Island families. We eagerly anticipate Governor Chafee’s signing of this bill,” Wu added. “We salute the thousands of Rhode Islanders who contacted their legislators to talk about why marriage matters and all of our coalition partners at Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, who worked so skillfully to bring us to this historic point.”

Marriage equality in Rhode Island will bring to a close GLAD’s “6 x 12” campaign, our initiative to achieve marriage equality in all six New England states by 2012 – albeit a few months later than originally projected. GLAD launched the initiative in 2008, on the five-year anniversary of the decision in its lawsuit Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, which made Massachusetts the first marriage equality state in New England and the country. GLAD has since worked through the courts or legislatively – collaborating with partner organizations in each state – to achieve marriage equality throughout New England.

“We’ve re-dubbed our ‘6 x 12’ campaign ‘6 x 12.3,’ and that’s just fine,” said GLAD Executive Director Lee Swislow. “With Rhode Island now in the win column, New England is a marriage equality zone, a beacon of justice and fairness for the rest of our country. We look forward to the day when the equality zone encompasses all fifty states and the federal government.”

For questions about marriage or any other LGBT issue, call GLAD’s free and confidential Legal InfoLine at 1-800-455-GLAD(4523) or email gladlaw@glad.org.

This morning, the Rhode Island Senate Republican Caucus released a statement announcing unanimous support for S38, the bill that will extend marriage to loving same-sex couples:

We support Senate Bill 38 because it rightfully extends the civil aspects of marriage to all Rhode Islanders while protecting the freedom of religion our state was founded upon. Gay and lesbian couples deserve to be treated equally under the law, and at the same time churches, synagogues and mosques in our state must be free to exercise their faith and their sacraments as they see fit. This bill strikes the right balance and should be passed by the Senate.

The announcement comes on the day the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill.  That vote is scheduled for 3 p.m. this afternoon.

For details, visit www.riunited.org.

Today, in a bipartisan vote of 7 to 4, Rhode Island’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry to the full Senate. The Senate will soon debate and vote on the marriage bill.

“We’re grateful that the Senate Judiciary Committee has taken this critical step toward ensuring that same-sex couples can demonstrate and celebrate their love and commitment by getting married in Rhode Island,” said Janson Wu, a staff attorney for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) who testified before the Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill. “Only marriage gives same-sex couples and their families the recognition and respect they need and deserve. GLAD is hopeful that the full Senate will act quickly to pass this bill.”

The Rhode Island House passed the bill with a large, bipartisan majority in January. Governor Lincoln Chafee, a vocal proponent of marriage for same-sex couples, has long pledged to sign a marriage bill into law.

Should the bill pass, Rhode Island would become the 10th state – in addition to the District of Columbia – to allow same-sex couples to legally marry. It would also become the final New England state to enact marriage equality, solidifying the region’s longstanding leadership in recognizing and protecting the dignity and freedom of LGBT people.

Read more here.