R-ISLANDER

IT IS TIME RHODE ISLAND--SAME SEX MARRIAGE

The California courts said bans against same sex marriage is unconstitutional and permits California to join our sister state of Massachusetts in marrying same sex couples.  Here's a piece of the decision:

The California Supreme Court has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a 4-3 decision. The opinion is lengthy, and I'm just getting through it, but here's an excerpt: "Furthermore, in contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights. We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples."

Maybe this decision by one of the country's most prestigious courts will convince an otherwise disappointing Democratic legislature here in Rhode Island to give the "okay" to same sex marriage in Rhode Island.

WHAT VOTERS WILL FACE IN NOVEMBER! IN RHODE ISLAND, TOO?

When Americans cast ballots on November 4 to elect a president, some states also will ask voters hot-button questions like whether or not to ban gay marriage.

Such "ballot initiatives" -- proposed amendments to state constitutions or legislation -- have become a staple of U.S. elections and have played a role in recent presidential races.

Two that have qualified for November's ballot stand out: one to ban gay marriage in the presidential battleground state of Florida -- where votes for Republican and Democratic candidates have been closely split in recent elections -- and another in Colorado to roll back affirmative-action policies aimed at helping minorities overcome discrimination.

Initiatives to ban gay marriage played a role in President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election as they propelled the Republican Party's conservative Christian base to the polls MORE>>>>>>

Both Hillary and Obama are good on gay matters, but Hillary is better...and the most qualified and the most focused and experienced. 

PROVIDENCE, RI BISHOP AND THE NUN ON GAYS

Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin should certainly read about this nun.  It would do him and Benedict xvi some good.

If anyone has seen this silly article in the Rhode Island Catholic, "Same Sex Marriages Would Have Disasterous Effects on Churches", you will more than agree with me.

Buona Pasqua and prayers for the Bishop's soul for sending these hateful articles as we approach Easter.

OBAMA, WRIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE

The church attended by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) fought back Sunday against mounting criticism of its pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Jr., accusing the media of character assassination and “crucifixion.”

In a Friday column posted on The Huffington Post, Obama both rejected and condemned Wright's statements.

In the statement released to reporters, the new Pastor, Rev. Otis Moss said called criticism of Wright and the church an “attack on the legacy of the African American Church which led and continues to lead the fight for human rights in America and around the world.”

I'd like to believe that, but unfortunately, the African American Churches have been the most condemning of gay rights in the country and continue to be. Homophobia among African Americans is rampant, and the African American Churches have done very little if anything to change that. Will Obama, so tied to this mentality, work as hard for gay Americans as needs to be done?

Republican Hate Speech...This is Amazingly Hateful

UNLIKE RI, NEW YORK COURT ALLOWS GAY DIVORCE

New York judge allows divorce trial for lesbians married in Canada.  Weeks ago, bowing to pressure, both political and religious I suspect but have no proof for, our judicial leaders said "No" to a same-sex couple's request for divorce.  They were married in Massachusetts.

History will not be good to either Bishop Tobin, Governor Carcieri or the legislators who refuse to allow people to get married because they are of the same sex.  Like slave-holders they will be the shame of Rhode Island and their families in the future, just as the De Wolfe's are the shame of their descendents.

RI Bill to Allow Same-Sex Divorce

Bill would allow same-sex divorce

House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox will sponsor a bill allowing married gay couples to divorce in Rhode Island. The bill is to be submitted in the coming days, but it could face a rough road in the legislature.

PROJO'S GAY HISTORY SPOTLIGHT

The Providence Journal has a great special report in today's paper on the History of RI's gay community.  Some shameful experiences caused by the "powers that be" including government officials and church leaders, but gays according to the report are becoming more and more mainstream.  Charlie Bakst also has a great pro-gay column.  Can same-sex marriage be far behind?  RI is the only New England state that does not recognize some form of same-sex union, if not marriage. 

William Murphy, Speaker of the Rhode Island House, will come to his democratic senses this year, and introduce and help to pass same-sex marriage for Rhode Island.  He just needs to find the strength to stand up to Bishop Tobin.  LOL.

GAY DIVORCE DENIED BY RHODE ISLAND COURT

In a one vote majority, the Supreme Ct. of Rhode Island has denied the rights of gays to divorce in the state because RI legislature only recognizes in promulgated laws that define marriage as between a man a woman.  The Courts did call on the legislature to make changes in the law to give gay people the right to marry and or divorce.  The Republican Governor and the Republican-like-on-this-issue Catholic bishop hail the decision as expected.

The full Court decision is here in pdf.

The full Providence Journal article is here.

House Speaker Murphy Makes the Right Move

Gordon Fox came out immediately to support Frank G. Ferri in the Nov. 27th special election to replace Rep. Peter T. Ginaitt, D-Warwick in the RI House.

House Speaker Murphy came out for the Ferri opponent and endorsed candidate instead of Ferri who is openly gay.  Recently however, even though he donated money for the Ferri opponent, Chair Murphy has seen the light and has himself endorsed Ferri, who like Fox is an openly gay man.  He's also very much in the leadership of same sex marriage rights in Rhode Island.

Maybe this will be the year.  Projo