Gay Marriage Bill To Be Introduced In Rhode Island

[greenforest32]

The 2011 civil union bill in Rhode Island was a total underachievement.

I get the same impression from Colorado's 2011/2012 civil union bill but I suppose they have to work incrementally considering the state constitution bans gay marriage.

[greenforest32]

I think the next four states to pass it legislatively will be: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, and Rhode Island.

These four lack an existing state constitutional ban, have majority (in fact I think supermajority in all save IL) Democratic state legislatures, and have Governors in support.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-gay-marriage-illinois-20120511,0,6442168.story

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Also Minnesota is likely too if the 2012 constitutional ban fails.

[greenforest32]

What other states are gonna have similar resolutions on the ballot either in November or in the coming years?

I think future measures will be:

Legalization measures - Oregon and Colorado. Maybe in Nevada, California, and New Jersey as well depending on how their court cases play out.

State constitutional bans - Wyoming, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Republicans pushed these state constitutional bans to drive up the evangelical vote and to ensure that state supreme courts cannot overturn statutory bans and legalize it like Iowa.

After those I'm not really sure. Something in New Mexico maybe?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States#State_law

[greenforest32]

I think the next four states to pass it legislatively will be: Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, and Rhode Island.

These four lack an existing state constitutional ban, have majority (in fact I think supermajority in all save IL) Democratic state legislatures, and have Governors in support.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-gay-marriage-illinois-20120511,0,6442168.story

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Also Minnesota is likely too if the 2012 constitutional ban fails.

Hawaii and Rhode Island legalized civil unions last year, which was rather underwhelming given their lack of Republicans, to say the least. Were I in one of those state legislatures, I would have voted nay because of how lame it was.

Yeah I think those two Governors should have vetoed them for being half-way measures. I mean come on, the Hawaii State Legislature has an 86% Democratic House and a 96% Democratic Senate...

The days of civil unions are coming to an end.

[greenforest32]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2012/05/14/gov_ri_recognizing_out_of_state_gay_marriages/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[greenforest32]

Don't the Dems hold supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, or at least close to it?

Yup, about 87% of the house and 76% of the senate:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_House_of_Representatives
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_Senate

Seems like it failed due to some good old moderate heroism: http://www.browndailyherald.com/gay-marriage-bills-stall-in-legislature-1.2539420#.T7MSFlKDuTY

You must be logged in to read this quote.

They may not have a vote on it this year, but it's very likely to pass in 2013. Especially if the Maine referendum passes.