On Tuesday, Rhode Island lawmakers took up legislation that would provide same-sex couples (and other dependents unable to marry) with many of the benefits of marriage, but stop short of legalizing same-sex “marriage.” A House committee held a hearing on this “reciprocal beneficiaries” bill that extends benefits associated with insurance, health care decisions, inheritance and property ownership.

Hearings have already been held in both the House and Senate on the legalization of same-sex “marriage” in the Ocean State, but no votes have been scheduled. There are also pending bills for same-sex “civil unions” that would award all the benefits and rights of marriage to same-sex couples.

CLICK HERE to watch powerful testimony by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute to the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee on March 1.

    Source: NPR