BREAKING: State Senate Passes Civil Unions
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The state Senate has voted 21 to 16 to approve civil unions for gay couples.
The bill, which has already passed the House now heads to the desk of Governor Lincoln Chafee, who has said he will sign it.
The bill grants gay couples the same rights straight couples enjoy under state law, including hospital visitation rights and equal state tax treatment. The legislation passed over opposition from social conservatives as well as gay advocates—who said it either goes too far, or not far enough.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Today is a historic day,” said Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, right before the vote. “What was once far in the distance is now within reach and I thank you all for your yes vote for equality today.”
The full Senate vote came just hours after the Senate Judiciary Committee had approved civil unions.
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