RI gov opens door to domestic partnerships
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A socially conservative governor who has fought for years against gay marriage in Rhode Island has slightly softened his stance by suggesting he may back a domestic partnership system offering legal protections for same-sex couples.
Republican Gov. Don Carcieri stridently opposes gay marriage, which remains illegal in Rhode Island, as well as civil unions.
But after meeting privately Thursday with members of a gay rights group, Carcieri emerged from his Statehouse office and told reporters he would consider backing a domestic partnership system similar to an expansion approved earlier this month by voters in Washington state. It offers gay couples the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support.
This one hits close to home since I live in RI & all. I saw it on the news this morning and it brightened my day a bit to know we will [hopefully] be taking a step in the right direction.
