Civil Rights Project News
Rhode Island is Milestone for Marriage Equality
Today, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed into law a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island. The Ocean State is now the nation’s 10th marriage equality state and the final New England state to approve marriage for same-sex couples. The bill signing brings to a close Gay & Lesbian …
GLAD Celebrates Imminent Marriage Equality in Rhode Island
Ocean State poised to become 10th marriage equality state, final New England state
Today, the Rhode Island Senate teed up history with a bipartisan vote of 26 to 12 in favor of legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry. Governor Lincoln Chafee has pledged to sign the bill, which will make …
Rhode Island Senate Marriage Equality Vote Today
The Rhode Island Senate has schedule a vote on SB38, which would allow same-sex couples to marry in the sate, for today at 4 p.m. If the Senate passes the bill, it will then go back to the House for reconciliation with the version passed by that chamber in January. Governor Lincoln Chafee has …
GLAD Applauds R.I. Senate Committee Vote on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
Today, in a bipartisan vote of 7 to 4, Rhode Island’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry to the full Senate. The Senate will soon debate and vote on the marriage bill.
“We’re grateful that the Senate Judiciary Committee has taken this …
100% of Rhode Island Senate Republicans Support Marriage Equality
This morning, the Rhode Island Senate Republican Caucus released a statement announcing unanimous support for S38, the bill that will extend marriage to loving same-sex couples:
We support Senate Bill 38 because it rightfully extends the civil aspects of marriage to all Rhode Islanders while …
For Same-Sex Married Couples, April 15 Tax-Filing Brings Extra Challenges
With April 15 on the horizon, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means that married same-sex couples across the country are dealing with the indignity, confusion, and expense caused by the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
DOMA means that married same-sex couples cannot file their …
Defense of Marriage Act - Windsor v. United States
Marriage at the Supreme Court - Wednesday, March 27
Windsor v. United States
Plaintiff: Edith Windsor
Federal constitutional challenge to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Read …
Proposition 8 - Hollingsworth v. Perry
Marriage at the Supreme Court - Tuesday, March 26
Hollingsworth v. Perry
Update Tuesday 1:00 p.m.: Audio of the Argument: Listen here
Plaintiffs: Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo
Photos from Outside the Supreme Court
Federal constitutional challenge …
Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee Marriage Hearing
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee heard spirited testimony March 21 on the marriage equality bill. The hearing lasted until nearly 5 a.m., with a strong showing of support for the freedom to marry.
GLAD Staff Attorney Janson Wu presented testimony on behalf of GLAD, which you can …
Highlights From Amicus Briefs Opposing DOMA
Over 40 friend-of-the-court briefs were filed today in the U.S. Supreme Court by parties including Members of Congress, the NAACP, Labor, Military Leaders, Service Members and Families, Former Cabinet Members, Child Welfare Experts and Faith Leaders, all asking the Court to overturn Section 3 of …