Posted on July - 03 - 2011
R.I. Senate approves civil unions
PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Senate voted 21-16 in favor of legislation allowing civil unions for same-sex couples Wednesday, and the bill will now go to Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee.
The civil union legislation, which already passed in the House, grants all the legal “rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities” to same-sex partners without the historical and religious meaning associated with the word “marriage,” a General Assembly news release said.
“I am very proud of my colleagues in the General Assembly for recognizing that this is the right piece of legislation at the right time,” said Rep. Peter J. Petrarca, D-Lincoln, who sponsored the legislation.
“We have made great progress in our goal of providing increased rights, benefits and protections for gay and lesbian couples. This bill is a step forward to ensuring equality and improving their quality of life,” Petrarca said.
The House of Representative passed the civil union legislation in May on a vote of 62-11.
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