I'm not writing this to imply that marriage is the be-all end-all for LGBT families. I just wanted to participate in Blogging for LBGT Families Day.
A couple of weeks ago I was in Rhode Island visiting a friend of mine, and we went to the hearing of a same-sex marriage bill. First off, let me just say that the RI state capitol building is tiny! There was no place where more than maybe 100 people could have congregated, and most of the rooms fit only around 30 people. I went into the hearing expecting something like what the gender identity/expression nondiscrimination bill hearings have been like in MA- absolutely brimming with people, almost all in support of it, who have great hope for it's future. This hearing was not like that. It seemed like barely any Marriage Equality Rhode Island people bothered to show up.
After being there for about 30 minutes, we realized why. This bill has been introduced year after year after year, and there is no hope for it passing before Rhode Island gets a new Governor. (Soon! Yay term limits!) Despite this, a maybe 30-40 marriage supporters showed up. We all sat around and chatted, waiting for the hearing to begin. About 20 minutes before it began, security came into the room and banished anyone from it who did not have a seat, including me and my friends.
So we hopped over to another room where we could watch it on TV. One of the first pieces of testimony was given by a lawyer from the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, and it was terrific! The best part was after her testimony, when she was answering questions. One of the legislators asked why there couldn't just be civil unions with most of the rights of marriage. The lawyer's response: "Because you can't challenge federal marriage discrimination if you don't call it marriage! And yes, we will succeed and have federal marriage for same-sex couples!"
It was awesome. I can't wait until it comes true.
