RI State Report: Gay Marriage + RI Launches Feel-Good Campaign

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, GoLocalProv News Contributor

 

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It’s official: Same-sex marriage is now legal in Rhode Island. Keeping in line with the same-sex marriage theme, this week’s State Report will focus on Thursday’s same-sex marriage celebrations throughout the state, as well as a new report that named Newport a top same-sex wedding destination.

Aside from marriage equality, we’ll also look at the new “It’s All in Our Backyard” campaign, which aims to remind Rhode Islanders what’s great about the Ocean State. Also on the docket are wind farms and gubernatorial appointments. Keep reading to see what Gov. Chafee nominee was forced to withdraw this week.

Same-sex marriage begins in Rhode Island

Rhode Island officially became the 13th state to allow same-sex marriages at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday morning. From Providence to Newport, same-sex couples arrived at the state’s various city halls early this morning to obtain marriage licenses.

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Gov. Lincoln Chafee, a supporter of same-sex marriage legislation tweeted Thursday morning: “To Rhode Island’s LGBT family members, friends and neighbors: at long last, you are free to marry the person you love.”

In Providence, Zachary Marcus and Gary McDowell were the first couple to pick up their marriage license when Providence City Hall opened at 8:30 a.m. Mayor Angel Taveras presided over the pair’s wedding ceremony at 2 p.m., making them the first couple to marry in Providence under the new law. The mayor later tweeted a picture of the ceremony with the caption: “I now pronounce you spouses for life.”

A similar scene unfolded in Newport as Federico Santi and John Gacher arrived at the City Clerk’s office to receive their marriage license at 8 a.m.

In Warwick, Rep. Frank Ferri (D) and his partner Tony Caparco were first in line to get their marriage license when Warwick City Hall opened at 8:30 a.m.

The total number of couples seeking marriage licenses in Rhode Island was small compared to what other states have seen, with only a handful of couples gathering in Providence. Minnesota, which also officially legalized same-sex marriage on Thursday, issued over 1,000 marriage licenses in its first day.

In May, the General Assembly passed legislation removing gender-specific language from the state’s marriage laws. Under the new law, any person is allowed to marry another eligible person, regardless of gender.

The law also contains a provision allowing couples that have entered into civil unions in Rhode Island to convert those into marriages without paying a fee.

Newport named top 10 up-and-coming gay wedding destination

The travel website Cheapflights.com has named Newport, Rhode Island one of the top 10 “up-and-coming gay wedding destinations” in the world.

“As Rhode Island celebrates our first day of same-sex marriage, this ranking reaffirms our role as a welcoming environment for all couples,” said Gov. Lincoln Chafee on Thursday. “Our beautiful state is proud to be a home for many loving couples and a host to many more. We appreciate this recognition of Rhode Island’s renowned tourism industry in a city emblematic of our state’s long history of diversity.”

The article praises Newport for 400-mile coastline and spectacular beach scenery. Aside from its beaches, the article applauds the city’s historic mansions, numerous vineyards, and lively downtown — all of which make Newport an ideal gay wedding location.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 up-and-coming gay marriage destinations:

  • Newport, Rhode Island
  • Queenstown, New Zealand
  • Montpellier, France
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Camden, Maine
  • Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
  • Saba, Dutch Caribbean
  • Seattle, Washington

 

RI Foundation launches new campaign ‘It’s All in Our Backyard’

In an effort to boost Rhode Islanders’ self esteem, the Rhode Island Foundation has launched a statewide marketing campaign to celebrate the state’s people, organizations, businesses, and industries.

The campaign also includes a web site—ourbackyardri.com—that features videos highlighting successful Rhode Island natives.

“This is an internal marketing campaign designed to change the way Rhode Islanders talk about their state. There are plenty of successes to feel good about right here in our own backyard—global industry and cutting-edge innovation, thriving entrepreneurship, world-class universities and a vibrant arts and culture scene," said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation's president and CEO.

According to Jessica David, the Foundation's vice president of strategy and public affairs, the promotion is designed to address the state’s self-esteem problem, and to remind citizens what makes Rhode Island so special.

“Our Backyard aims to shift the tone of the conversation in Rhode Island, so we can engage in more productive discussions about how to address the real challenges we face," said David.

As for the current well being of Rhode Islanders, a March Gallup study found that Rhode Island is one of the unhappiest states in the nation. The state ranked 37th in the country, down from last year’s ranking of 35th.

Additionally, a June Gallup poll determined that Rhode Island workers hate going to work more than any other state.

Founded in 1916, the Rhode Island Foundation aims to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders through fundraising, grantmaking, and leadership.

Gov. Chafee withdraws pick for higher education position

Following accusations that his appointment would violate state ethics laws, Gov. Lincoln Chafee decided to withdraw his pick for interim commissioner of higher education on Tuesday.

The news comes two weeks after Common Cause of Rhode Island pointed out that the appointment of current Board of Education Chairwoman Eva-Marie Mancuso would violate state ethics rules.

According to the government watchdog group, Mancuso’s appointment the “revolving-door” section of the state’s Ethic Code, which prohibits elected officials from accepting jobs from the boards on which they serve.

Chafee had initially sought an exemption to the law in order to appoint Mancuso, but withdrew his request in the face of what would likely be an uphill battle with the Ethics Commission.

As for why he nominated Mancuso in the first place Chafee said at new conference on Tuesday: “She was putting in enormous hours. No one would expect an unpaid board member to put in those kinds of hours.”

Chafee also said that the search for a new higher education commissioner would soon begin. Meanwhile, Clark Greene, the chief of staff for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, will be “on loan” to the Office of Higher Education. Greene’s current salary of $144,000 will remain in place.

Mancuso will continue her job as chairwoman of the state’s Board of Education.

Deepwater Wind secures rights to construct wind farm off RI coast

The Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind won an auction this week to build the first commercial wind farms off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the firm's winning bid of $3.8 million came in the 11th round of competition.

It marks the first time the federal government has sold a competitive lease for wind energy on the outer continental shelf. The area is about 10 miles off the Rhode Island coast between and to the south of Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard.

“There are still many steps involved in this project becoming a reality, and throughout that process, there needs to be a clear and iron-clad commitment to jobs in Rhode Island, after all the state has done in this area,” said Jack Senator Reed.

There are currently no wind farms in the United States, but several are in development.

 

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