Current Version
| Region | Rhode Island |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| Start Date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| End Date | Jul 1, 2011 |
| Description | On February 20, 2007, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch issued a formal, non-binding legal opinion stating that Rhode Island should recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in Massachusetts. The opinion noted that state law prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacked an explicit ban on same-sex unions. This provided a framework for state agencies and public higher education institutions to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples married out-of-state. This status remained active until civil unions were formally signed into state law. |
| Sources | https://eu.gainesville.com/story/news/2007/02/22/rhode-island-steps-toward-recognizing-same-sex-marriage/31513669007/ https://www.advocate.com/news/2007/02/22/rhode-island-should-recognize-same-sex-marriage-ag-says |
Revision History (2)
edited by nyelvtheelv. someone entered 0000 as the year lol
Helpful?
0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Nov 30, -0001 | Jul 1, 2011 |
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| Start Date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| End Date | Nov 30, -0001 |
| Description | On February 20, 2007, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch issued a formal, non-binding legal opinion stating that Rhode Island should recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in Massachusetts. The opinion noted that state law prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and lacked an explicit ban on same-sex unions. This provided a framework for state agencies and public higher education institutions to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples married out-of-state. This status remained active until civil unions were formally signed into state law. |
| Sources | https://eu.gainesville.com/story/news/2007/02/22/rhode-island-steps-toward-recognizing-same-sex-marriage/31513669007/ https://www.advocate.com/news/2007/02/22/rhode-island-should-recognize-same-sex-marriage-ag-says |