NEW Gay Marriage Bill to Be Introduced Tomorrow

NEW Gay Marriage Bill to Be Introduced Tomorrow

A bill to legalize gay marriage will be introduced in the Rhode Island House tomorrow, according to Rep. Art Handy, D-Cranston, the prime sponsor of the bill.

Handy introduced the same bill last year—but it never went anywhere. This year—with a Governor who supports it and an openly gay Speaker—Handy is more than optimistic than ever that it will pass. “It would be an extreme understatement to say ‘optimistic,’” Handy told GoLocalProv tonight.

Handy says he has at least 27 co-sponsors and he expects the measure will garner at least 40 votes in the House. “I think 40 is a pretty conservative number at this point,” Handy said.

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The bill still allows religious institutions to determine who may be permitted to marry within their faith, according to the text of the bill.