U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline Thursday praised a recent law that allows same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. Many couples earlier in the day received marriage licenses from city and town hall officials across the state.
"I join all Rhode Islanders in celebrating this historic day where we mark the beginning of full marriage equality in Rhode Island," Cicilline said in a news release.
"As a result of the hard work of many, and after many years of struggle, every Rhode Islander is guaranteed access to full marriage equality, and discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation is no longer permitted," he said.
Cicilline congratulated Governor Chafee, House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, lawmakers and the "thousands of Rhode Islanders who devoted so much time and energy to making this day a reality."