Rhode Island Gay Lawmakers Speak Out, Opponets Too

Rhode Island State Congressman, Frank Ferri (D-Warwick), who married his partner, Tony Carparco, in Canada three years ago, speaks out on the gay marriage debate in his state, the last in New England to resist legalizing gay marriage:


Ferri, along with House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox (D-Providence) and Rep. Deb Ruggiero (D-Jamestown) is one of three openly gay legislators in Rhode Island. Regardless, the battle will be an uphill one, as statehouse leadership, including Republican Governor Don Carcieri, who is also a member of the National Organization For Marriage, opposes it. 2010 will see a gubernatorial election with no incumbent, as Carcieri has reached his term limit. Democrats are very hopeful to get back into the governor's office, as Republicans have occupied the state's highest office since 1995, in spite of the state's heavy Democratic leanings on the national and legislative levels. At this time the race is seen as a toss-up. No doubt, the same sex marriage debate will be a factor in the election.