PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Gay marriage could soon become the law of the land across New England — except in the heavily Roman Catholic Rhode Island.
A string of successes for gay marriage advocates has left Rhode Island a political outlier. Maine became the fourth state in New England to legalize same-sex unions Wednesday, while New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is now deciding whether to sign similar legislation.
Vermont lawmakers established gay marriage last month, following a path already set in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Yet the movement has stalled in Rhode Island, perhaps even lost ground, after a stalemate at the Statehouse, a loss in the state’s top court and continued opposition from religious leaders.
Religion remains among the biggest hurdles. A recent survey by Trinity College in Connecticut showed 46 percent of Rhode Islanders identify themselves as Catholics, a larger percentage than any other state.
It might become easier for those looking to legalize gay marriage in Rhode Island when Gov. Don Carcieri finishes his term in 2011. Potential candidates, including former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts and Attorney General Patrick Lynch, both Democrats, support gay marriage.
by the associated press
A string of successes for gay marriage advocates has left Rhode Island a political outlier. Maine became the fourth state in New England to legalize same-sex unions Wednesday, while New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch is now deciding whether to sign similar legislation.
Vermont lawmakers established gay marriage last month, following a path already set in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Yet the movement has stalled in Rhode Island, perhaps even lost ground, after a stalemate at the Statehouse, a loss in the state’s top court and continued opposition from religious leaders.
Religion remains among the biggest hurdles. A recent survey by Trinity College in Connecticut showed 46 percent of Rhode Islanders identify themselves as Catholics, a larger percentage than any other state.
It might become easier for those looking to legalize gay marriage in Rhode Island when Gov. Don Carcieri finishes his term in 2011. Potential candidates, including former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts and Attorney General Patrick Lynch, both Democrats, support gay marriage.
by the associated press
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