Rhode Island became the tenth U.S. state to embrace marriage equality, following
a procedural vote in the House of Representatives, and independent Gov.
Lincoln Chafee's signature on the Marriage Equality Act today.
"I plan to sign the Marriage Equality Act into law immediately after the vote," said Chafee in an op-ed for the New York Times Thursday. "On the steps of the Rhode Island State House, overlooking downtown Providence."
The affirmative House vote was a foregone conclusion, as
the chamber approved an earlier version of the legislation in January,
according to the Associated Press. The state Senate approved the bill on April 24 by a vote of 26-12. Marriage equality could take effect as by August 1, reports AP.
Noting his early support — as a former Republican Senator
in 2004— for marriage equality, Chafee said he's happy to see his former
party colleagues evolve on the issue.
"I personally feel that Rhode Island is a better state,
and America is a better country, when we are as inclusive as possible,"
wrote Chafee. "I have been heartened in recent months to see members of
my old party coming around on marriage equality, including the entire Republican caucus
in the Rhode Island Senate — the first time a caucus of either party
has been unanimous in its support. That reflects sound political
judgment, and some values that are at least as Republican as they are
Democratic, including a belief in marriage as an institution and a
desire to keep government out of our personal lives."
Rhode Island was the last state in New England to
establish marriage equality, and the tenth state in the nation, in
addition to Washington, D.C., to extend marriage rights to same-sex
couples. Gay and lesbian couples can begin marrying as early as August
1, reports AP.
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