We’ve moved!

Marriage Equality Rhode Island has a fresh new look, and a brand new website packed with information, including a new integrated blog.

We will no longer be updating or maintaining this WordPress as of May 1, 2009, and the ability to comment on old posts have been closed for that reason. Instead, we’ll be picking up where we left off at a new address: http://www.marriageequalityri.org/www/blog/

If you subscribe to our RSS feed, you may subscribe to the new feed here:
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/MarriageEqualityRhodeIsland

Thanks for your continued support!

Read a Book and Let’s Talk

Bell Street Chapel and Marriage Equality Rhode Island will host a two week-discussion group based on the book: What is Marriage for?: the Strange Social History of Our Most Intimate Institution, by E.J. Graff. This program will allow participants to share ideas about evolving notions of marriage.

The group will meet for two consecutive Mondays, May 4 and 11, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street, Providence. Participants are asked to pre-register and to read What is Marriage For? prior to the first session. The book can be purchased for $16.00 from Beacon Press at www.beacon.org, or through major online book retailers such as Amazon.com. Interested individuals can pre-register or obtain more information by contacting Richard Corso through the church office at 273-5678 or by email at BellStreetGroups@gmail.com.

Bike Tour for Marriage Equality in Westerly April 28

JOIN RICK TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Tuesday, April 28, at the Westerly Town Hall, noon to 1p.m.

Rick Harris will be biking through Rhode Island in support of Marriage Equality.

He will speak with people about marriage equality as a civil right and collect signatures on the Traveling Proclamation for Civil Marriage.

Can you join him in Westerly?

For the past three summers, Rick Harris, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers – Rhode Island Chapter (NASW – RI), has been bicycling around New England on behalf of Marriage Equality. He has traveled over 2400 miles, has collected 1445 signatures on a Traveling Proclamation for Civil Marriage, and visited all state houses in New England, as well those in New Jersey and New York. During these travels he has spoken directly to thousands of individuals about the merits of Civil Marriage as a Civil Right.

Harris will ride to several city halls around Rhode Island to solicit signatures and speak to whomever is willing to take a second to talk.

Harris states: “The wonderful thing about America is that basic civil rights are guaranteed. Although it may take a long time, these rights can be won in various ways through court actions, legislatively or by executive order. In Rhode Island, we hope to win marriage equality rights through legislative action. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa have all gained this basic human right, which ensures that couples who love and respect each other can be married regardless of gender. Rhode Island now recognizes those marriages and it’s just a matter of time before same gender couples will be able to marry in Rhode Island also. This basic human right will be won community by community, state by state, region by region, until all American loving couples, regardless of where they live, will be free to marry.”

(Rides will be rain or shine safety permitting.)

Come down to Westerly town hall and support Rick and Marriage Equality for all.

Town Hall Tuesdays in Newport and Providence

MERI Town Hall Tuesday

Tuesday, April 28th
6:30-8:30pm
Newport Public Library, 300 Spring Street, Newport, in the Program Room

Tuesday, May 5th
6:30-8:30pm
Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street, Providence

Join Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) in looking forward to the future of marriage equality in the Ocean State. MERI is hosting Town Hall Tuesday events in Newport and Providence to share our plan to achieve marriage equality in Rhode Island. Join us to learn about our plan for 2011, ask questions, offer feedback, and find out how to get involved.

Ouestions or information contact Kathy at: kjkushnir@marriageequalityri.org or 463-5368×344.

NY Governor Unveils Same-Sex Marriage Bill

(via NY Times)
Gov. David A. Paterson on Thursday announced he would introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, drawing on the soaring oratory of the civil rights movement to call on the Legislature to add New York to the four states that have already authorized such unions.

Comparing the status of gay men and lesbians to that of African-Americans, Jews, women and other groups who were historically excluded from full political and social equality, Mr. Paterson said he would lead a movement to authorize same-sex marriage. “We have a crisis of leadership today,” he declared. “We’re going to fill that vacuum today.”

Mr. Paterson is expected to take on a level of involvement unusual for a governor, inserting himself directly into the ongoing campaign in Albany to gather the votes needed to pass the bill. Currently the measure does not have enough support in the State Senate, which Democrats seized last fall and control by a thin margin, 32 to 30.

A number of Democrats have expressed reservations about legalizing marriage between gay and lesbian couples, but advocates of same-sex marriage have urged politicians to have a public debate and place themselves on the record by holding a roll-call vote, come what may.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who spoke immediately after the governor at a morning news conference at Mr. Paterson’s Midtown office, similarly cited New York’s history of civil rights. “This is where Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony began the struggle for women’s suffrage. This is where the N.A.A.C.P. was founded 100 years ago — and they’re bringing their convention back to the city this summer. I’m happy today and still today New York City is a major center for worker’s rights, for immigrant rights and for gay rights.”

(The mayor paused the news conference for more than a minute after an electronic device went off, prompting the mayor to glare at the offender and begin his remarks again.)

It was Mr. Paterson who dominated the morning news conference. He decried what he called a “dysfunctional government” in Albany, and urged the leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature to act.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY (NY Times)

Activist’s ride for gay pride stops in Newport

Rick Harris took a vacation day Tuesday and spent most of it on his 4-year-old Marin bike riding to Newport. But it wasn’t just a pleasure trip.

Harris, executive director of the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, plans on taking off every Tuesday in April to ride for pride — gay pride, specifically to promote same-sex marriage. Standing in front of Newport City Hall during lunch hour Tuesday, a banner draped over his bike, Harris was trying to get passersby to sign a “Traveling Proclamation for Marriage Equality.”

“It’s a civil rights issue … clear and plain,” Harris said of same-sex marriage.

Jonathan Parkin of Newport was walking by and, without prompting, decided to sign the proclamation.

“Come on, it’s 2009,” Parkin said when asked why he signed. “Same-sex marriage … it’s more of a personal choice. Two people who want to get married, it’s their choice, not ours.”

REST OF THE STORY (Newport Daily News)

Comic Duck Bowl Tournament – This Saturday!

Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) and the Renaissance City Softball League (RCSL) will host Cosmic Duck Cup Bowling on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30-midnight at Town Hall Lanes in Johnston, RI.

According to Jonathan Ricci, RCSL Commissioner, “This year the League is making an extra effort to reach out to partners in the GLBT community. We’re delighted to partner with MERI for this first event and invite all friends and allies to support our joint endeavor.”

Cosmic bowling includes music and special galaxy lighting. The bar will be open for beverages and food. Tickets to the event are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and includes 3 games and shoe rental. Teams of up to 5 persons can reserve a lane in advance. Lane sponsorship by businesses or supportive organizations cost $50 and includes banner placement and announcements during the evening. Raffle prizes will be drawn and winners will receive the Cosmic Duck Cup trophy. Singles and spectators welcome.

Purchase tickets online with VISA/Master Card.

Proceeds benefit Marriage Equality Rhode Island, an organization that demands recognition for same-sex couples in Rhode Island who deserve the legal protections and safeguards gained through civil marriage.

The Renaissance City Softball League (RCSL) is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and promotion of softball in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) community in Rhode Island and surrounding areas. RCSL games are played at the Agawam Softball Complex & Pierce Memorial Stadium in East Providence. Opening day is Sunday, May 10th at noon.

For more information, email Kathy Kushnir.

Townhall Tuesday – Starting Next Week

Join Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) in looking forward to the future of marriage equality in the Ocean State. MERI is hosting five “Town Hall Tuesday” events across the state throughout April and May to share our plan to achieve marriage equality in Rhode Island. Join us to learn about our plan for 2011, ask questions, offer feedback, and find out how to get involved!

The “Town Hall Tuesday” sessions will be held in Woonsocket, Providence, Kingston, Newport and Warwick/Cranston.

All events will occur between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and include light refreshments.

Tuesday, April 14: Warwick/Cranston
NEARI Building, 99 Bald Hill Rd, Cranston

Tuesday, April 21: Kingston
URI Memorial Union, Atrium 2, Kingston

Tuesday, May 5: Providence
Bell St. Chapel, Bell St., UU Church, Providence

Other dates and locations to be announced soon.

Tonight’s Divorce Bill Hearing Cancelled

The Family Court Access Bill (aka Divorce Bill) hearing has been canceled for tonight. We will let you know once a new hearing is scheduled.

The Family Court Access Bill (H5926), sponsored Rep. Fox, Ferri, Ajello, and Williamson, would allow couples to divorce in RI, whether or not they would have been eligible to marry in RI, so long as the marriage is recognized elsewhere and the parties meet the requirements for a divorce in RI.

Iowa Gov. Culver’s Statement on Supreme Court Decision

Bravo Gov. Culver!

GOVERNOR CULVER ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT’S DECISION
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today issued the following statement after reviewing the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien:

“I have carefully reviewed the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on civil marriage and discussed it with the Attorney General.

“Let me begin by saying that I recognize that the issue of same-gender civil marriage is one that evokes strongly held beliefs and strong emotions both for and against. These beliefs and feelings need to be respected. I hope that the views of those on all sides will be treated respectfully and will not be subjected to name-calling or fear-mongering, but instead will lead to rational discussion.

“At the outset, I want to emphasize that the question before the Iowa Supreme Court was one of civil marriage only – a state-recognized legal status constituting a civil contract. Civil marriage always has been, and will continue to be, separate from religious marriage that takes place in churches and places of worship.

“As I have stated before, I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a tenet of my personal faith. The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision has, in fact, reaffirmed that churches across Iowa will continue to have the right to recognize the sanctity of religious marriage in accordance with their own traditions and church doctrines. The Supreme Court’s decision does not require that churches recognize marriages between persons of the same gender or officiate over such unions. The Court does not have, nor should any court ever have, that kind of power over our religious lives. Our churches and places of worship are free to decide for themselves, as they were before, who may enter the sacred covenant of marriage. As the Supreme Court’s decision states, ‘The sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past.’

“Yet, the Supreme Court of Iowa, in a unanimous decision, has clearly stated that the Constitution of our state, which guarantees equal protection of the law to all Iowans, requires the State of Iowa to recognize the civil marriage contract of two people of the same gender. The Court also concluded that the denial of this right constitutes discrimination. Therefore, after careful consideration and a thorough reading of the Court’s decision, I am reluctant to support amending the Iowa Constitution to add a provision that our Supreme Court has said is unlawful and discriminatory.

“As Governor, I must respect the authority of the Iowa Supreme Court, and have a duty to uphold the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I also fully respect the right of all Iowans to live under the full protection of Iowa’s Constitution.

“I urge Iowans who hold beliefs on all sides of this issue to exhibit respect and good will. Our state faces many serious challenges. We are in the midst of a serious economic recession. Tens of thousands of our fellow Iowans are without work. We have suffered the worst natural disasters and most difficult recovery our state has ever faced. We must join together and redouble our efforts to work toward solutions that will help Iowans in this time of uncertainty. That is where, I believe, my focus and energies should lie.

“Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are all Iowans, all neighbors, united in the promise and faith of a brighter future for our state. Let us all work together toward that common goal.”