Rhode Island considers Civil Unions as alternative to marriage equality

A Rhode Island House committee will consider a bill that would legalize civil unions, instead of same-sex marriage. This is being presented as an alternative way to extend legal rights via civil unions between any two people over the age of 18 who cannot legally marry their partners.

The bill is being considered by the House Judiciary committee, which is the same committee that heard testimony regarding same-sex marriage.

Although both chambers of the state have considered the issue of marriage equality, neither one has voted on the issue. The Governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chaffee, has urged the lawmakers to pass same-sex marriage.