RHODE ISLAND: Activists Demand Governor Veto Civil Unions Bill

Saying that Rhode Island's proposed civil unions bill will "allow religious organizations and their individual employees to completely disregard the validity of a civil union in any context," major LGBT activist groups are asking Gov. Lincoln Chafee to veto the act should it come to his desk. Via press release:

"This flawed civil union bill undermines a crucial principle that Rhode Island has always stood for -- respecting the separation of church and state,” said Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director for Freedom to Marry. “Not only does the bill propose a separate-and-unequal status instead of ending the denial of marriage itself, it grants an unprecedented license to discriminate against same-sex couples and their families. Governor Chafee should veto this defective bill and work with the legislature to enact a marriage bill that ends discrimination while preserving religious and personal freedom on equal terms for all.”

The letter, which was signed by groups including Freedom to Marry and GLAD, reads: This amendment could allow individuals, who are legally required to recognize everyone else’s legal commitments, to opt out of doing so only for gay and lesbian people. In practical terms, this law could allow religiously affiliated hospitals to deny a civil union spouse’s right to be by his spouse’s side and make medical decisions for him, and could allow religiously affiliated agencies to deny an employee’s right to leave in order to care for his civil union spouse under Rhode Island Family and Medical Leave.

NOM Launches $100K Campaign Against Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee

NOM is pouring big bucks into their video attacking Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee.

The local chapter of the National Organization for Marriage is launching a $100,000 TV advertising campaign aimed at defeating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. The first TV ad scheduled for airing on Tuesday will challenge "Governor Lincoln Chaffee's claim to have a mandate to redefine marriage,'' according to a news release issued by the group that misspelled new Governor Lincoln D. Chafee's name. "Lincoln Chaffee got just 36% of the vote in the recent election, and fewer popular votes than the Cool Moose Party's candidate for Lieutenant Governor," Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM-RI, said in the release. "Our message is that getting 36% of the vote is no mandate to redefine the institution of marriage for all of Rhode Island society."

RELATED: Here's an HRC clip about the "new nicer" NOM. Somehow I missed this a couple of months ago.

NOM On Attack In Rhode Island

Here's NOM's first ad attacking Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's support of same-sex marriage.

UPDATE: NOM has pulled the clip, possibly due to a misspelling of Chafee's name. I'll replace the clip in this post if it goes back up.

UPDATE II: The clip is back up.

Quote Of The Day - Bishop Thomas Tobin

"It is particularly disturbing that our new governor, who has trumpeted his desire to bring our state together in unity, would adopt such a very divisive agenda item as one of his first priorities. His proposal violates the sincere conscience of many of our citizens and inflames passions on both sides of the issue. Our state leaders could better serve all Rhode Islanders by working on initiatives that will create jobs and improve the overall economic health of our state." - Bishop Thomas Tobin, on Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's endorsement of same-sex marriage.

Governor Lincoln Chafee (RI) Uses Inauguration To Call For Marriage Equality

On Top Magazine has the transcript: “When marriage equality is the law in Rhode Island, we honor our forefathers who risked their lives and fortune in the pursuit of human equality. Rhode Island today must be as welcoming to all as [founder] Roger Williams intended it to be. Mark my words, these two actions will do more for economic growth in our state than any economic development loan."

RHODE ISLAND: Pro-Gay Independent Lincoln Chafee Wins Governor's Race

Lincoln Chafee, who was the only GOP Senator to ever express support for marriage equality, has won the gubernatorial race in Rhode Island as an Independent. Democrat Frank Caprio had been leading up until two weeks ago, but lost ground after telling President Obama to "shove it" when he didn't get Obama's endorsement. Both Chafee and Caprio had promised to sign a marriage equality bill should one get to their desks.

RHODE ISLAND: Independent Lincoln Chafee Surges Against Dem Caprio

When I last reported on this race two weeks ago, Caprio had a slight lead, but that was before the president declined to endorse him. Chafee aligns himself with Obama in his new ad (below), something more than a few Democrats won't do these days.

RHODE ISLAND: Frank Caprio With Slight Lead Over Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee

Rhode Island state Treasurer Frank Caprio is maintaining a slight lead over former Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who was the only GOP Senator to support gay marriage before being defeated by Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in 2006. Chafee has since left the GOP to run as an independent. Both Chafee and Caprio have signed a pledge to approve same-sex marriage should they become governor.