Newport Brunch highlights fight for marriage equality in RI

The second annual Newport Brunch was held on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Four Winds (639 Bellevue Ave., Newport). All proceeds of the lavish brunch benefitted Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) and MassEquality, two members of the Rhode Island Marriage Coalition.

Four Winds owner Esmond Harmsworth strolled underneath glittering chandeliers wearing a name tag that read "Macy Gray" in an effort to generate enthusiasm about MassEquality's Sept. 30 benefit concert featuring the songstress. Gilded picture frames, sparkling silverware, and delicate china plates greeted guests, along with a spread of fine brunch cuisine.

Rhode Island legislators Rep. Deborah Ruggiero and Rep. Peter Martin were among the first to arrive. Martin, who has introduced a "gay divorce bill" in Rhode Island -- which would allow same-sex couples who tied the knot in other states to have their marriage dissolved in Rhode Island -- spoke about the importance of separation of church and state. People who are against gay marriage, he said, "rant and rave and hold up religious symbols" as evidence to their cause.

Smooth jazz played at a low volume in every Four Winds room, as well as on the porches. A towering nude Grecian warrior stood, protective, on an enclosed back porch. Aside from marriage equality, of course, the statue was the brunch's hot topic of conversation. A yellow Labrador retriever strolled, tail wagging, between brunch attendees.

Kathy Kushnir, MERI's Executive Director, told Bay Windows that it was "wonderful for Esmond and [partner Jim Richardson] to open their home to us." Harmsworth and Richardson also hosted last year's Newport event, which was held in the evening. Interrupted by kissing cheeks and shaking hands with passers-by, Kushnir described the current efforts in Rhode Island to attain legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and her hopes for the governor. "[Carcieri] was not an equality supporter," she said of the state's current Gov. Don Carcieri. A legislative bill must pass the House and Senate with simple majorities and be signed by the next governor to legalize statewide recognition of same-sex marriages, and Kushnir had high hopes for seeing marriage equality in 2011. "Our chances are excellent," she said.

MERI has teamed up with MassEquality to expand canvassing efforts. Kushnir said that the organizations have knocked on 30,000 doors since last year, and that Sunday's Brunch was meant to honor the canvassing team, as well as to provide volunteers and employees a chance to socialize and relax, while furthering the Coalition's mission of "putting together a community we can be proud of."

MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini said that MassEquality is providing support to MERI via the Rhode Island Marriage Coalition. "Our role is to provide whatever training, coaching we can to the MERI team," she said. "We're following their lead."

The recent development of the MERI Political Action Committee guided voters to equality-friendly candidates during Tuesday's primary election. MERI celebrated the House victories of Christopher R. Blazejewski, Maria E. Cimini, Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, Rep. Scott A. Slater, Rep. Arthur Handy, David A. Bennett, Rep. Eileen Slattery Naughton, Teresa A. Tanzi, Jeremiah T. O'Grady, Rep. J. Patrick O'Neill, and Richard P. Morrison, as well as the Senate victories of Sen. Juan M. Pichardo and Sen. Frank A. DeVall, Jr.