After Crucial Wins, Rhode Island Sets Sights On Marriage Law

Ray Sullivan

Following a pickup of several more LGBT allies in the Rhode Island state legislature, marriage equality advocates are confident their state can pass a law to grant same-sex couples the right to marry.

The general assembly picked up at least four more marriage equality supporters in Tuesday's election, the Associated Press reports. An effort to legalize marriage has also been boosted by voters in Washington, Maryland, and nearby Maine, who decided to allow same-sex couples the right to marry Tuesday night.

"While there are still some races yet to be decided, the pro-equality impact on the 2012 election was both significant and undeniable,"Fight Back RI campaign director Ray Sullivan said in a statement Tuesday night. "We were proud to stand with those who stand with us and eagerly anticipate working with new and long-time equality supporters from both sides of the aisle when the Assembly returns in January."

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has indicated that he would support such a law, and has even declared in May that the state will recognize same-sex couples who were legally married elsewhere as being married in Rhode Island.