PROVIDENCE, R.I. - "On the heels of November's perfect sweep for marriage, our win today reaffirms that momentum is truly on our side,'' said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, after the Rhode Island Senate's 26-to-12 vote for same sex marriage legislation.
"Making today's victory especially meaningful is the fact that all of the Senate Republicans stood on the right side of history, voting in favor of marriage equality,'' said Griffin, adding: "Rhode Island's committed and loving gay and lesbian couples are on the cusp of equality.''
GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) said the Senate "simply affirmed what the majority of their constituents believe: that loving, committed same-sex couples in Rhode Island need and deserve the dignity and respect that only marriage can provide.''
Added GLAD staff attorney Janson Wu said: "Marriage equality in Rhode Island marriage will bring to a close GLAD's "6 x 12" campaign, our initiative to achieve marriage equality in all six New England states by 2012 - albeit a few months later than originally projected."