Councilors Support Same-Sex Marriage

The East Providence City Council supports Rhode Island’s controversial marriage equality legislation.

The councilors voted unanimously Tuesday evening, April 2, to send a resolution to the governor, lieutenant governor, president of the Senate, speaker of the House and the city’s legislators indicating their support of the proposed law.

The resolution, in short, describes same-sex marriage as a fundamental civil right for gay couples who should have the same legal protections through marriage as every other adult in Rhode Island.

The vote followed about 90 minutes of often emotional public comment from about two dozen supporters and opponents. Representatives from Rhode Islanders United for Marriage and Marriage Equality Rhode Island took turns trading time at the podium with members of several local churches, clergymen and others who filled the Council Chamber.

Several speakers also asked the City Council to take the resolution off the docket because they didn’t feel it was appropriate for the councilors to deal with the issue. 

Sue Kennedy of East Providence, one of the latter, said: “This is a huge issue…too big of an issue for the council. It’s not up to the council. It’s not your call. Take it off the docket.” 

Speakers for and against seemed to disagree primarily over whether the proposed legislation was a religious or a civil issue and the definition of marriage. 

Most opponents invoked the name of God in their comments, saying that the Bible deems marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, not same-sex couples. Most supporters see the issue as entirely a civil right. 

Robert Hicks of East Providence, who has been in a gay relationship for 33 years, said the legislation “will help us protect our relationship. It is not a religious issue. We need civil protections.” 

He said, for example, that existing laws do not recognize gay couples as joint owners of property. A complete stranger would determine the fate of a home if one of the partners passes on, he said, not one of the owners.

His partner, Bruce Botton, said: “This is entirely a civil issue. It’s not religious. We would like to have the same protections in place” as straight couples. 

The Rev. Edmund Harris, an Episcopal priest who is in a gay relationship and is a representative from Marriage Equality RI, said “every relationship is strengthened by a marriage. It makes all relationships stronger.”

The Rev. Ernie Robillard of the First Baptist Church in Rumford, said: “the Bible does not condone same-sex relationships.” And he told the City Council, “You were not elected to redefine marriage.” 

Joseph Carter of East Providence also slammed the City Council for dealing with the resolution. 

“You don’t have the right,” he said. “There is a lot more you should focus on in this city.”

Several other opponents delivered a similar message that the definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. 

Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, released this comment soon after the City Council voted:

“We are deeply grateful for the support and endorsement of the East Providence Town Council for Senator Nesselbush’s marriage equality legislation. This resolution…is a strong demonstration of the grassroots support for allowing all loving, committed couples the freedom to marry in our communities.”

Here is the resolution approved by the City Council: 

“A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 2013–S0038 AND HOUSE BILL 2013–H5015 SUBSTITUTE A RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS – PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO MARRY

WHEREAS, the State of Rhode Island, founded as a beacon of religious tolerance and freedom, has long stood for fair and equal treatment and protection under the law for every citizen; and 

WHEREAS, we believe that a just and democratic society guarantees to all its citizens certain civil rights set out in the United States Constitution, and civil marriage is one of these fundamental rights; and

WHEREAS, each and every adult in Rhode Island, regardless of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation deserves the opportunity to attain the legal protections, rights and responsibilities gained through civil marriage; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of East Providence supports the passage of Marriage Equality legislation (H5015 and S0038).

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council of the City of East Providence hereby requests that the City Clerk send a copy of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the President of the Rhode Island Senate, the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the Senators and Representatives from the City of East Providence.”