NOM Targets Rhode Island

The National Organization for Marriage's Rhode Island chapter has launched a six-figure media campaign to fight a new and promising legislative push for marriage equality in the state.

A new ad attacking pro-marriage equality governor Lincoln Chafee was scheduled to air Tuesday as part of a $100,000 television campaign, The Providence Journal reports. Last week lawmakers reintroduced bills that would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.

"Lincoln Chaffee [sic] got just 36% of the vote in the recent election," NOM-Rhode Island executive director Christopher Plante said in a statement. "Our message is that getting 36% of the vote is no mandate to redefine the institution of marriage for all of Rhode Island society.

"If legislators in Rhode Island wish to redefine marriage, they should put this issue on the ballot where the people themselves can decide if they wish to abandon one of the most fundamental institutions of society,'' Plante said.

The first ad, posted to YouTube, has since been removed, however.