Rhode Island: GOP Senate caucus announces support for marriage equality

As the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee gets ready to consider a marriage equality bill today, we get word from Towleroad that the state Senate Republican caucus has announced it's support for the bill.


From Rhode Island United for Marriage:

It's a big day in Rhode Island, and we're excited to kick it off with some really exciting news for our campaign! This morning, the Senate Republican Caucus - including Senators Dennis Algiere, David Bates, Dawson Hodgson, Nicholas Kettle, Chris Ottiano - 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 protecting the freedom of religion our state was founded upon.  Gay and lesbian couples deserve to be treated equally under the law, and at the same time churches, synagogues and mosques in our state must be free to exercise their faith and their sacraments as they see fit.  This bill strikes the right balance and should be passed by the Senate.

Said RI4M campaign director Ray Sullivan:

“We are proud and humbled to have earned the support of the entire Senate Republican caucus for Senator Nesselbush’s legislation. We applaud their courage and their conviction in standing up for all loving, committed couples and their freedom to marry. That this is the first legislative caucus of either party to unanimously support marriage equality is a testament to the bravery and strength of character of these five senators. We thank them for their support, and look forward to their voting in favor of S38.” 

(via Towleroad)