Comments on: Rhode Island civil unions move along in the Senate

By: Stefano A

Stefano A — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:14:50 +0000

Timothy Kincaid:

Thanks! I didn’t know if it had died in committee or been voted down, or just what happened.

I did note today, however, that the Senate Judiciary is schedule to vote on the civil unions bill Wednesday (29 June).

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:10:18 +0000

Stefano… this is in limbo… it’s an interesting state of being. I’m not sure exaclty what’s going on

By: Stefano A

Stefano A — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:15:53 +0000

While we’re all watching what will happen in New York, I’m hesitant to bump this up with a comment, but I’ve been wondering whatever happened with Rhode Island?

By: TonyJazz

TonyJazz — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:44:06 +0000

If this was about Alabama or Indiana, I could forgive their backwardness. However, this is an embarrassment for all people in Rhode Island, as that state is one that should ‘know better’.

Don’t support this mess. Tell your representatives that they’ve wasted their time, and to support equal treatment for all adults.

After all, this is civil marriage we’re demanding, and that’s the only option for the Northeastern part of this country.

By: Amicus

Amicus — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:16:28 +0000

Only one state supreme court (CA) has ruled that separate is indeed unequal on this matter and the more states that pile on to the contrary view in the meanwhile, the less likely the just outcome of an “incremental” process will come about.

The ‘status quo’ is a powerful thing. It’s not clear that fervor for real equality will remain.

In the meantime, opponents are geared up to ‘make CU stick’. We’ve already seen their political memes on display, e.g. ‘it’s not really THAT bad and whatever you say is lacking in it, we can try to fix it, by education and stuff.’

If there is a case to be made for “incremental” it is DP, which has some of the benefits of marriage, but not all the obligations. CU, on the other hand, has all the obligations, yet not all of the benefits. That’s just another reason why it’s an inferior interim step.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:14:28 +0000

I’m happy to see Rhode Island passing civil unions. I will always support marriage equality but I feel that civil unions and domestic partnerships are a great first step and I have never been against the incremental approach to full equality. I think there will be more reason to move states to full marriage equality once DOMA is struck down but it also helps to keep talking to people on why marriage equality is needed.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:50:35 +0000

If DOMA is ruled unconstitutional, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships will have even less value than they have now. Even in the bluest states, we can’t get it done. This is huge loss. And meanwhile, Bloomberg continues inexplicably to pretend that the GOP controlled Senate will ever vote for equality there in NY. It’s beginning to look more and more like Olsen and Boises are our only hope.

By: Amicus

Amicus — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:23:52 +0000

CU is not a compromise, it’s a loss.

One can’t even see it as a compromise between DP and marriage. Actually, why is CU any better than DP?

By: Tony P

Tony P — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:08:13 +0000

If it becomes the law I will civil union my partner and then proceed to sue the State of Rhode Island, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President for violation of my Article 1 Section 2 civil rights.