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Governor Lincoln Chafee Monday signed an executive order that the state recognize out of state same-sex marriages.

 

Under the order, all state departments, agencies and offices must recognize marriages of same-sex couples, just as they do for heterosexual couples.  Chafee says the order extends to obtaining insurance coverage, listing the birth mother as well as her spouse on a birth certificate, and granting health and pension benefits to state employees in a same-sex marriage.

 

As he entered the Governor's State Room at the State House for the signing ceremony, Chafee was met with a wave of thunderous applause.

 

"Far too many Rhode Island couples have encountered problems with the state failing to consistently recognize the validity of their marriage, causing unnecessary difficulty, anxiety and expense," Chafee said in a packed Governor's State Room, filled to overflowing with supporters of same-sex marriage. 

 

He urged the General Assembly to approve legislation right away that would recognize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

 

"As I've said before, this is an important step, but we must continue to push for full marriage equality," Chafee said.  "It's time to get on with it, let's get full equality."

(5/15/2012 10:58:49 AM) "Ahhhhh...good to see Gov. Gump is focused on the things that will improve the dismal job market & business environment in this state! Good grief..." The waste of time was the movement to make it illegal. In a free country, all things should be legal until it is shown they infringe upon another citizen's rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The real time waste is undoing the unnecessary legislation, which itself was originally a waste of time.

- Frankie

(5/15/2012 10:54:01 AM) good to see close minded bigots like Al saying that civil rights should wait until better economic times. I doubt he would fee that way if it were HIS civil rights! What a self-centered MORON! Now is the time, NOW is always the time, for civil rights! Thank you, Gov. Chafee, for leading in a state full of idiots, bigots and people like Al. Progress is slow, but at least with you at the helm, progress is being made.

- Jackson

(5/14/2012 11:03:08 PM) Ahhhhh...good to see Gov. Gump is focused on the things that will improve the dismal job market & business environment in this state! Good grief...

- Al