PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Sen. Frank Ciccone, one of the leading same-sex marriage opponents in the Senate, introduced a bill Wednesday that would potentially allow same-gender couples in Rhode Island to marry, but exempt priests, rabbis, fraternal societies -- and "any small business" -- from having to officiate or provide services.
Ciccone's bill calls for a statewide vote on a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would say: "Marriage is the legally-recognized union of two people. The right of the people to marry shall not be denied on the basis of the gender of the parties.''
If passed, the proposed Constitutional amendment would also recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states.
But it also contains legal protections for a long list of people who do not choose to officiate or provide "services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges'' for a marriage ceremony that "violates the institution or business owner's "religious beliefs.''
Ciccone said the bill evolved out of conversations with Senate leadership and others. There has been no clear statement yet from Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed on whether she supports the bill.
But with the House and Senate at a standoff over the House-passed gay marriage bill championed by House Speaker Gordon Fox, Ciccone said he hoped his bill "would put an end to the question of gay marriage.''
"The two chambers have devoted enough time and effort on gay marriage," he said "There are bigger things and more worries in the state right now that my constituents have been complaining about.''
In reaction, Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, said Wednesday, "Fundamental human rights, including the freedom to marry the person we love, don't belong on the ballot and should not be subjected to a vote of the majority."
This story was initially posted at 4:20 p.m. and updated at 6:40 p.m.
CHAFEE RESPONDS: Governor Chafee has reiterated his position that the same-sex marriage question should be decided by the General Assembly, not put on the ballot for voters. "Since my time as a state delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention of 1986, I have been consistent in my view that in a representative democracy lawmakers have the responsibility to make decisions on matters both monumental and routine," Chafee said in a statement Wednesday.
Updated March 13, 2013 5:31 PM