Rhode Island: Marriage equality bills introduced in both state house and state senate

Marriage equality bills were introduced today in both the Rhode Island House and Senate:

The identical bills were sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, (House bill 5015) and Sen. Donna Nesselbush, D-Pawtucket. Handy said 42 of 75 House members had signed on as cosponsors, while Nesselbush said 11 of 38 Senate members had signed on as of 4:50 p.m. The bills would define marriage as the "legally recognized union" of two people.

The bills would define marriage as the "legally recognized union" of two people.

Same-sex marriage is recognized in nine states, including all the other New England states, as well as the District of Columbia. Thirty-seven states define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.