PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A much-anticipated Senate committee hearing on same-sex marriage legislation has begun, hours after supporters began lining up in a top-floor State House corridor for a chance to sign up to speak during the hours-long hearing.
The hearing started at 4:47.
DONNA NESSELBUSH
The first speaker: Senator Donna Nesselbush, sponsor of the bill to allow same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.
At some point, Governor Chafee, a strong supporter of same sex marriage, is expected to appear in person to speak.
The hearing will focus on two bills. One mirrors a House-passed bill, championed by the state's openly-gay House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, to allow same-gender couples to marry in Rhode Island.
The other seeks a referendum on a proposed amendment to the state constitution to allow any two people to marry, while insulating from suit anyone who refuses to officiate or provide goods and services or accommodations for a same-sex marriage ceremony.