A broad coalition of progressive groups
in Rhode Island will begin work advocating for gay marriage on
Monday.
Rhode Islanders United for Marriage's
first official press conference will feature several community
leaders.
Bills seeking to make Rhode Island the
10th state to legalize marriage equality were introduced
in both houses earlier this month.
The Rhode Island House on Tuesday is
expected to hold a hearing on the proposed legislation, setting up a
potential vote in the chamber before month's end. Previous hearings
on the issue went long into the night and attracted hundreds of
people.
The new organization includes Freedom
to Marry, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Gill
Action, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the
Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Marriage
Equality USA, National Association of Social Workers, National
Education Association Rhode Island, Ocean State Action, Planned
Parenthood of Rhode Island, Rhode Island ACLU, Rhode Island AFL-CIO,
Rhode Island Democratic Party LGBTQ Caucus, Rhode Island Federation
of Teachers and Health Professionals, Rhode Island National
Organization for Women, Rhode Island Pride, Rhode Island Progressive
Democrats, Rhode Island State Council, SAGE/RI, Service Employees
International Union, United Auto Workers (Region 9A), United Food and
Commercial Workers (Local 328) and Youth Pride Incorporated.
(On the Net: Rhode
Islanders United for Marriage.)