In opposing a proposed gay marriage law
in Rhode Island, the state chapter of the National Organization for
Marriage (NOM) suggests it's all for civil unions.
NOM, however, vigorously opposed
passage of the law in 2011, calling such unions a “threat.”
“This is a disappointing and
dangerous day for marriage in Rhode Island,” Chris Plante,
executive director of NOM – Rhode Island, said after legislative
approval. “The passage of Civil Unions presents a clear threat to
the definition of marriage and the religious liberties of tens of
thousands of Rhode Islanders.”
Plante trumpets civil unions in a
recent ad calling on members to oppose the proposed marriage law.
“Rhode Island, now is the time to
take action,” Plante says in the 60-second video. “Once again
some politicians want to redefine marriage with House bill 5015.
Why? It can't be about right or benefits because the state has
already provided gay couples all the same rights as married couples.
Rhode Island civil union law provides recognition, respect and
rights.”
Jeremy Hooper of GoodAsYou.org decried
Plante's position.
“This is galling,” Hooper
wrote in an HRC blog post. “This organization … did
everything it could to deny loving same-sex couples of the limited
rights afforded by civil unions. Now, to stop the deserved rights
afforded by full marriage equality, they are playing a political game
of pretend. Outrageous!”