Projo Politics Blog

Rhode Island is currently the only New England that does not allow either same-sex marriage or civil unions, and the campaign by advocates on both sides of the issue has been fierce.

Both Handy's bill and the Senate version being considered tonight contain a section titled - "protection of freedom of religion in marriage'' - that says "each religious institution has exclusive control over its own religious doctrine, policy, and teachings regarding who may marry within their faith, and on what terms'' and "no court or other state or local governmental body, entity, agency or commission shall compel, prevent, or interfere in any way with any religious institution's decisions about marriage eligibility within that particular faith's tradition.''

They also specify that no member of the clergy of any religion shall be "obligated or otherwise required by law to officiate at any particular civil marriage or religious rite of marriage.''

Nonetheless, there have been warring radio ads in recent days by Marriage Equality Rhode Island and an opposition group, calling itself, the National Organization for Marriage Rhode Island whose board of advisers includes the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

Both sides have been urging their supporters to either come to tonight's hearing or write legislators. And by yesterday, the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee had received a stack of mail nearly an inch thick, much of it beginning with this identical sentence: "For too long, concerned Rhode islanders have been told that our efforts to protect marriage are a waste of time.''

From a writer who identified herself as Barbara Wakefield came a more original, but like-minded message: "This same sex marriage issue has nothing to do with civil rights. It has everything to do with worshipping at the altar of political correctness as well as satisfying a special interest group....Wise up people, stop meddling where you don't belong, study our Constitution as well as some history and philosophy and tend to the business of rescuing Rhode Island from the economic disaster that you have helped bring about.''

Added Desiree Macedo of West Warwick: "One question that should never be asked by our children is why do I have two mommies or two daddies, or that it should ever be thought of [as] the normal way of life when it clearly has not been stated so in the Bible.''

"Yes, I am a Catholic,'' wrote Dave Moran. "Marriage is a sacrament instituted by God. And, joins a man and a woman. It's defined in holy scripture that way. Please let those who want to form another union call it something else.''

Speaking for the other side of the argument, letter writer Theresa Masnik wrote: "Just remember the three R's...Respect, Recognition and Rights...belong to everyone. Remember, Roger Williams left Massachusetts to create a settlement based on a principle of equality.'' Added Selena Maranjian: ''I urge you to do the right thing and strike a blow against discrimination.''

As of yesterday's the lawmakers had received 21 letters supporting the bill co-sponsored by Sens. Rhoda Perry, Susan Sosnowski, Juan Pichardo, Joshua Miller and Charles Levesque to allow same-sex marriage, and 83 in favor of the same-sex marriage ban proposed by Sen. Leo Blais, R-Coventry.