National Organization for Marriage - Rhode Island Demands Governor-elect Chafee Listen To Voters

“Listen to the voice of over 80% of Rhode Islanders who want the right to vote on marriage.”
– Christopher Plante, executive director, NOM-RI

(Providence, RI) - The National Organization for Marriage – Rhode Island (NOM-RI) demanded today that Governor-elect Chafee’s promise to act quickly on invoking same-sex marriage in the state be put to an end.  With polling data showing the majority of voters in Rhode Island opposing same-sex marriage, and the overwhelming majority wanting the issue to be put to them for a vote, the Governor-elect is promising to act against the will of the people, and refusing to give them a right to vote on the matter.

“The National Organization for Marriage- Rhode Island is disappointed that Governor-elect Chafee, elected with only 36% of the vote, and fewer popular votes than Cool Moose Party Candidate for Lt. Governor Bob Healey, refuses to listen to the voice of over 80% of Rhode Islanders who want the right to vote on marriage,” said Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM-RI.  “It is clear that Governor-elect Chafee intends to put fringe issues and radical politics over saving Rhode Islanders jobs and securing a prosperous future for our State.  NOM – Rhode Island will work with Rhode Islanders to demand their right to vote on marriage, and demand that the Governor-elect sticks to the business of getting Rhode Island back on the right economic track.  We are confident that the majority of Assembly-women and men know there are more important things to deal with and we will support their efforts to push for a referendum.”

A letter sent to Mr. Plante from the Governor-elect’s office states, “The Governor-elect feels that the issues [of same-sex marriage] should be addressed as soon as possible by the General Assembly, and does not believe that the question should be decided by a ballot referendum.”

For more information or to schedule an interview with Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM-Rhode Island, contact Elizabeth Ray (x.130) or Mary Beth Hutchins (x.105) at 703-683-5004 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]
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