Here's the latest article for EDGE from reporter Joe Siegel:The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on four bills pertaining to GLBT rights on Wednesday, May 7 at the Rhode Island Statehouse, including a bill which would allow same-sex couples to get married in the state.
One of the bills heard was the Compassion for All Families Act, which would give domestic partners the spousal benefits of family medical leave, nursing home visitation and funeral planning. Another bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, would allow same-sex couples married outside of Rhode Island to divorce in Rhode Island courts.
A Providence couple, Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret Chambers, were denied the right to divorce by the state Supreme Court last October. Ormiston and Chambers were married in Massachusetts in 2004, not long after the first same-sex marriages were performed there. The Supreme Court ruled that Ormiston and Chambers couldn’t have access to the Family Court to end their marriage, since the state did not recognize same-gender marriages.
Ormiston gave impassioned testimony to the committee about her frustration with the court’s decision and the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex unions. "Why is it that you feel you can discriminate against me? A woman with a valid contract. I did not ask any faith to bless my marriage. I absolutely respect anyone’s right to believe and worship in any way they choose. But I demand the same right," Ormiston emotes.
Click here for the complete article in EDGE.
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