Posted on 05/03/2013 8:32:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Rhode Island on Thursday became the nation's 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed, as a 16-year effort to extend marriage rights in this heavily Roman Catholic state ended with the triumphant cheers of hundreds of gays, lesbians, their families and friends.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law on the Statehouse steps Thursday evening following a final 56-15 vote in the House. The first weddings will take place Aug. 1, when the law takes effect.
"I've been waiting 32 years for this day, and I never thought it would come in my lifetime," said Raymond Beausejour, a 66-year-old gay North Providence man who has been with his partner for 32 years. "For the first time in my life, I feel welcome in my own state."
After Chafee signed the bill, the hundreds of people who gathered on the Statehouse grounds erupted into cheers as a chorus sang "Chapel of Love."
"Now, at long last, you are free to marry the person that you love," Chafee told the crowd.
The day was bittersweet for Deborah Tevyaw, whose wife, state corrections officer Pat Baker, succumbed to lung cancer two years ago. Months before she died, Baker, relying on an oxygen tank, angrily told lawmakers it was unfair that Tevyaw wasn't considered her wife in Rhode Island despite their marriage in Massachusetts....
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
The brink was reached after the first state recognized same sex marriage.
Just self targeting for the hailstones.
Jesus wept.
All of New England has become the gay capital on the east coast...and among gays known for being just that.
I believe he’s doing a whole lot more than weeping.
Yeah, one step closer to chickens marrying cows and dogs livin in sin with lesbians... And reggie love wearing his ring in public...
It wasn’t “illegal” before.
Just one more fag infested state that I won’t be visiting.
The brink already happened..when Obama was elected TWICE..that pretty much told me where this country was headed
I think that’s 10/50 + the capital. Minnesota voted down their amendment by 52.5% when it was voted on last year.
Freegards
“in this heavily Roman Catholic state”
AP had to throw that in there as a little extra FU. Like Obama invoking God’s blessing on Planned Parenthood.
You do realize that there are homoeexuals in your state?
I believe hes doing a whole lot more than weeping.
And, what price will society pay for this sin~
Liquid ice. Settled science. Square circle. All contradictions in terms.
Like two men or two women being ‘husband and wife.’
The average American appreciates this, just as s/he knows ‘global warming’ is a crock of warm horse droppings. It snowed in Little Rock today.
A man cannot be a wife or a woman a husband.
Unless you are determined to live in ‘cloud cuckoo land’, or are a Dhimmicrat.
Then you have established legal residence.
Was it illegal, or is RI now forcing its citizens to support and service homosexual behavior?
i look up every day. i am praying my animals come with me.
I’d always planned to visit all 50 states some time in my life. Nearly there, but now the dozen or so states still left tend to be these Obama-voting “fag marriage” states. And I’ve really lost any and all inclination to visit such places. In fact, I’d just as soon secede and separate entirely from these places that so readily embrace such grotesque degeneracy.
Memo to the South: Go Ahead, Secede Already!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3014312/posts
The Lord Jesus came with mercy and salvation the first time. He’s returning in righteous judgement the second time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.