Mayors Rally Around Gay Marriage Legislation
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Mayors from across Rhode Island joined together in support of this session's effort to pass gay marriage legislation. “As mayors, we are proud to stand together in support of the freedom of all loving, committed couples to marry,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. “The right to marry is an issue of fundamental fairness. I join with my fellow mayors from communities across our state in calling on our elected leaders in the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 38 and finally bring marriage equality to Rhode Island.”
The group includes Mayor Scott Avedisian of Warwick, Mayor James Diossa of Central Falls, Mayor Donald Grebien of Pawtucket, Mayor Charles Lombardi of North Providence, Mayor Daniel McKee of Cumberland, and Mayor Angel Taveras of Providence.
“I think it’s an incredible testament to their leadership that so many of our municipal executives have chosen to stand up and endorse Senator Nesselbush’s legislation currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Ray Sullivan, Rhode Islanders United for Marriage campaign director. “We are deeply grateful for their strong support, and look forward to continuing to ensure the voices of the broad and growing majority of Rhode Islanders who believe in the freedom to marry.”
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“We all know gay and lesbian people living in our cities or towns who are in long-term loving relationships, and who are active participants in the civic life of our communities,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. “They deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life.”
Rhode Island Mayors for Marriage Equality supports the national organization - Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, a national project of Freedom to Marry with more than 330 members in 33 states.
“Marriage tells our communities that two people are uniquely committed to one another – that they are a family. All loving couples deserve the dignity and respect only marriage affords,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “Our cities and towns have as their primary responsibilities public safety and education. The freedom to marry gives couples the tools and security they need to build a life together and ensures the children of all Rhode Island families have the unique protection only marriage can provide.”
Starting in 2009, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously approved a resolution stating in part: “The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.”
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