Gay Marriage Bill Faces Committee Vote in RI

Legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Rhode Island is headed to its first test in the General Assembly.

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Tuesday afternoon. The committee is expected to vote to send the legislation to the full House of Representatives for consideration, possibly as early as Thursday.

Advocates for gay marriage say they expect the bill to pass the House but remain less confident about the Senate. Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, a gay marriage opponent, said last week that she remains opposed to the legislation.

Nine states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to marry. Rhode Island is the only New England state without gay marriage.