CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
As soon as Judi and Lee McNeil-Beckwith got word that the Rhode Island attorney general believes the state would recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, they cried, hugged, and excitedly called friends and family. Then they jumped in the car. "We've wanted to get married, but we didn't want an empty piece of paper. We needed the attorney general on our side," Lee, 40, said Monday evening, just hours after returning from Worcester, Mass., where she and Judi, her partner of seven years, applied for a marriage license. "We just wanted to take the first step as soon as we could," said Judi, 52, holding a fresh bouquet of yellow daisies. The couple, who live in Providence, changed their names a few years ago when they bought a house together. Rhode Island attorney general Patrick Lynch said that under his interpretation, the state would recognize any marriage legally performed in another state, as long as the marriage wasn't contrary to public policy. Lee and Judi saw Lynch's statement as a green light to cross the state line and apply for a license, over objections from Rhode Island governor Don Carcieri, who opposes gay marriage and has been advising gay couples to wait. "I came out 21 years ago, and I never thought this day would happen," said Lee. "I needed to take advantage of the historic moment." In his opinion, Lynch said courts or the general assembly would determine whether same-sex marriage was contrary to public policy. He also left it to the courts to decide whether same-sex marriages can be legally performed in Rhode Island. He said that to date, the only marriages that are void in Rhode Island are those involving bigamy, incest, or mental incompetence or marriages in which one or both parties never intended to be married. Rhode Island is one of seven states in which the statutes make no specific reference to gender in their marriage laws but also do not affirmatively allow gay marriage. Lynch advised same-sex couples in Rhode Island to consult with a private attorney before seeking marriage licenses in Massachusetts. Legal analysts told the Associated Press that Lynch's opinion is strictly advisory and that the issue would ultimately be decided by the courts. Rhode Island lawmakers also are considering opposing bills on same-sex marriages. One would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, while another would legalize same-sex marriages and recognize such unions performed in another state. Upon returning to Rhode Island from Worcester City Hall, the McNeil-Beckwiths joined nearly 100 supporters of same-sex marriage in a Providence park for a celebration of the Massachusetts nuptials. In between cheers and music, the jubilant crowd--some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words "I do" and "Civil marriage, civil rights"--raised plastic champagne glasses and toasted their northern neighbors. "We wish them long and happy lives together," said Chris Butler, a representative of the Campaign for Marriage Equality. "This is a very special day."
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
These 15 major companies caved to the far right and stopped DEI programs
January 24 2025 1:11 PM
True
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
HRC, Lambda Legal sue to stop Trump's transgender military ban
February 06 2025 8:50 PM
DOGE staffer resigns over uncovered racist posts
February 06 2025 7:18 PM
​'Heightened Scrutiny' is a somber reminder of why we fight for trans rights
February 06 2025 6:31 PM
NCAA caves and says it will obey Trump order banning trans athletes
February 06 2025 4:54 PM
Vision for long-delayed memorial to Pulse victims finally comes into view
February 06 2025 4:34 PM
Publishers and library sue Idaho over book ban that defines 'homosexuality' as 'harmful to minors'
February 06 2025 12:35 PM
Anti-trans Republican Nancy Mace doubles down on dehumanizing transphobic slur during hearing
February 06 2025 10:27 AM