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Rhode Island

While Rhode Island does not allow same-sex couples to marry within their state, the state does respect out-of-state marriages regardless of whether the couple could have married in Rhode Island (a divorce by a same-sex couple was not recognized, but the marriage recognition law was not necessarily changed as a result). To achieve full equality, Rhode Island has introduced a marriage equality bill in the last two legislative session. State advocacy groups and citizens across the state continue to work for ending the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage.

WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:

Marriage Equality Rhode Island
MERI is a grassroots movement that seeks legal recognition of same-sex couples through civil marriage in Rhode Island. MERI believes that a civil society guarantees to all of its citizens certain civil rights; civil marriage is one of these fundamental rights.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders: Rhode Island
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is New England's leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.

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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN RHODE ISLAND:

Your Community—Rhode Island
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and relationship recognition laws in each state.

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PUBLICATIONS:

Marrying in Massachusetts: A Guide for Rhode Island Couples
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
March 2008
On September 29, 2006, a Massachusetts trial court removed the discriminatory barrier to marriage in Massachusetts for same-sex couples living in Rhode Island. This decision means that same-sex couples who live in Rhode Island can marry in Massachusetts. GLAD offers the following information to help Rhode Island same-sex couples understand the decision and plan for what may lie ahead.

Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.

Rhode Island Census Snapshot
Williams Institute
September 2007
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Rhode Island.

Hundreds of Rhode Island Laws Relate to Marriage
Marriage Equality Rhode Island
There are at least 435 Rhode Island laws that reference marriage, and delineate the rights and responsibilities that are bestowed upon married couples.

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NEWS:

View news about the fight for the freedom to marry in Rhode Island.

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