On Tuesday, State Representative Robert Craven (Democrat, District 32, North Kingstown) rose to recommend passage of Senate Bill 0075, a routine solemnization of marriage bill that would allow Daniel Baker to act as the officiant in the marriage of Christy Caroline Baker and Amber Lynn Stewart.

Craven noted that the bill had passed out of his the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs, on a vote of 11-0. “It’s a good bill. I recommend passage,” said Craven.

Many representatives rose in support of the bill. Most did not. 66 Representatives voted in favor of the legislation. Four Representatives, Samuel Azzinaro (Democrat, District 37, Westerly), Arthur Corvese (Democrat, District 55, North Providence), Robert Phillips (Democrat, District 51, Woonsocket) and Sherry Roberts (Republican, District 29, Coventry) voted against the bill…

… because two women wanted to be married in Rhode Island.

Here’s the video:

Since the passage of marriage equality in Rhode Island, certain State Representatives and Senators in the General Assembly have continued to express their bigotry and homophobia by voting against same-sex marriages in both committees and during floor votes. Over the last four years I’ve covered this practice at least six times, yet the practice continues unabated.

During a hearing in House Judiciary earlier this year to possibly reform this practice, Ange Storm-Weber testified that that she would not seek a solemnization of marriage from the General Assembly. “One reason is that the current practice of separating the gay solemnizations from the straight ones is degrading, and like any bride in the world I just want my wedding to be perfect, not separate but equal, because separate is never really equal.”

Storm-Weber will be marrying her fiancé, a woman, later this year.

It makes my heart sad that in 2019, there are still representatives who vote no on same sex marriage solemnizations. Some even identify as “democrats.” We need to make this big tent a little more exclusive. pic.twitter.com/i2xxnR9XCc

— Moira Jayne Walsh (@RepMoira_Jayne) March 5, 2019

Here’s previous coverage of the issue:

• Separate and Unequal: How certain State Senators continue to pass judgement on same sex marriages
• In the RI State Senate, LGBTQ marriage is separated and unequal
• State representatives still trolling LGBTQ marriages
• To oppose marriage equality is to prevent Jews from practicing their faith
• RI General Assembly still voting on marriage equality
• General Assembly persists in its policy of institutionalized bigotry against the LGBTQ community

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