R.I. Gov. Chafee to order state recognition of gay marriages performed elsewhere

Source: Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee on Monday afternoon will sign an executive order declaring that Rhode Island will recognize gay marriages performed out-of-state, a move meant to assure that those gay couples receive all the state-level benefits they are entitled to under law.

The order essentially codifies what then-state Attorney General Patrick Lynch determined in 2007 as to how the state should treat gay marriages from out-of-state.

That year, Lynch issued a non-binding opinion advising state college officials that they should recognize the out-of-state marriages of gay employees.

The Rhode Island state legislature last year approved the creation "civil unions" for same sex couples that are supposed to afford them the same rights as heterosexual married couples under state law.




Read more: http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/05/ri-gov-chafee-t-5.html