Tomorrow, Wednesday June 3 at 4:00 PM, another important bill is coming before the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee. Bill Number 5926 would pave the way for the Rhode Island Family Court to issue divorce decrees in the case of same-sex marriages performed in other states. The bill states,

"Regardless of whether the parties would have been eligible to marry in Rhode Island, the parties to any marriage, or other domestic relationship granting substantially similar rights and obligations of marriage, recognized in any state of the United States, possession of the United States, or in any foreign country, may petition for a divorce proceeding in this state so long as the parties meet the jurisdictional requirements of section 15-5-12."

Note the important word "any" throughout the bill. Any marriage from any location will be recognized in Rhode Island for the purposes of divorce. This is one very small step away from any marriage being recognized in Rhode Island period, and it is a clear step the Same-Sex Marriage movement wants to take. If same-sex divorce is approved it will not be long before same-sex marriage is approved.

We need to have your voices heard: Marriage is between a man and a woman. Rhode Island must not recognize "any marriage" from "any place" unless it is between a man and a woman.

The National Organization for Marriage--Rhode Island's position is simple. First, to recognize a same-sex marriage for purposes of divorce is to recognize same-sex marriage period, something Rhode Island law prohibits. To take this step is to move ever closer to legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. Next, proponents of this bill will claim because they live in Rhode Island they have no recourse to end their unhappy "marriages." This is not true. These couples went to other States to get married and they can, as hard as it may be, go back to these States for their divorce. To claim they are stuck in legal limbo is a fallacy. Finally, Rhode Island should not be amending its laws to solve a problem created by Massachusetts or any other State. Those States amended their marriage laws, they can amend their divorce laws to fix this issue.

NOM - RI urges you to come out the State House, Room 313 Wednesday June 3rd at 4:00 PM, and make your voice heard. Marriage is between a man and a woman! Rhode Island must not take any action to recognize any other type of "marriage" from any other place unless it is between a man and a woman.

If you can't come out to the hearing please contact the House Judiciary Committee by email here.