Rhode Island Representative David
Cicilline on Tuesday applauded a Rhode Island House committee for
approving a gay marriage bill and sending it to the full House.
“This important effort has received
the support of a growing number of Rhode Islanders from nearly every
political background and religious tradition, and I believe it is
time our state recognizes the dignity and value of relationships
between committed and loving individuals of the same gender by
enacting full marriage equality in Rhode Island,” Cicilline, an
openly gay Democrat, said in a statement.
The House Judiciary Committee
unanimously approved state Rep. Arthur Handy's bill which seeks to
make Rhode Island the 10th state to legalize such unions.
Two years ago, Rhode Island, the only New England state which does
not allow gay couples to marry, approved civil unions for gay
couples.
In 2001, the House Judiciary Committee
heard a similar bill but decided against passage. Then-state Rep.
Cicilline cast the sole vote in favor of the proposed legislation.
The full House is expected to take up
the bill on Thursday.