The socially conservative Republican said the proposed protection represents a "disturbing trend" of the incremental erosion of heterosexual marriage. Rhode Island does not recognize same-sex marriage.
"If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnership, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the State of Rhode Island decide," Carcieri said in a letter to lawmakers.
Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Legislature and frequently override Carcieri's objections.
Sen. Rhoda Perry and Rep. David Segal, the bill sponsors, said they would seek to override the veto. They proposed the legislation after one of their constituents was unable to retrieve the body of his late partner from the state medical examiner for weeks because they weren't married or next-of-kin.
Gay rights supporters were indignant at the veto.
"It is absolutely unconscionable that Gov. Carcieri would step in the middle of people being able to take care of their loved ones at such a sorrowful time," said Kathy Kushnir, executive director of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, which advocates for gay marriage. "Why would he make it more difficult? I just don't get it."
The proposed funeral planning rights would apply to same-sex couples who have had a relationship for at least one year and pass other tests, such as owning property together. Carcieri said some of the guidelines were vague.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/11/national/main5608892.shtml
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- groups:
- News, Current Tonight, US Politics, Progressive America, 2 more
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- tags:
- News and Politics, US News, LGBT, Gay Rights, 1 more + add
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- WakeUpPeople
- added this
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Jerk.
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The governor is ignorant.
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This is a "disturbing trend" which exposes the cruelty, intolerance and oppression being committed by the so-called moral majority. I haven't heard of any constitutional document or argument that legitimizes the authority of law-makers, religious leaders, or any other person for that matter to enforce their beliefs over the will of free people. There is no amendment to the Bill of Rights saying that one is not entitled to love whomever they choose, or to make a life-long commitment to them in a ceremony of their choosing, or to be recognized as that person's family member if one is homosexual. In a equal society, the violation of one group's rights should be considered as a violation of all people's rights and cannot be tolerated. The citizens of Rhode Island should remind their governor that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and justice for all do not have a homosexual disclaimer.
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I just don't understand the right wing....
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i can understand the governers concern, there isn't any room in rhode island to bury a couple.
how do we tell them politely that it isn't an island.
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I am sorry but I cannot be nice about this disturbing trend of conservatives to viciously go after same sex couples with intolerable cruelty.
FUCK YOU YOU ASS HOLE GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND! FUCK YOU!!!!!
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What's his next move, punching a baby in the face? Usually bigots are more tactful, but this guy just can't help himself.
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Having a Will would solve this question immediately. Non-married heterosexual relationships have the same issue. Again the importance of having a Will is never overstated.
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- My_America
- 11 days ago
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How white of him. It shouldn't even be a issue about funerals.
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- LadybugLady
- 10 days ago
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I just think its ridiculous that any group or person can have such control over an individual. Sad times.
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JUBAL-
That's just wrong. If there is a legal document in place then there should be no question of a person's wishes. Please send me stories on the denial of legal contracual rights so I can educate myself.A contract is a contract and should be executed in the manner it was written. I would imagine these denial of legal rights also happen outside of just the Gay/Lesbian community.
I am intigued and will look into these stories.
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- My_America
- 9 days ago
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My America, thank you so much for being reasonable about this issue and saying that you would like to look into it. I applaud you. I will get back to you in a couple of days with links, OK? I don't have them at the ready and I am on someone else's computer at the moment.
The most famous case was just recently in Florida, within the past two or three years, a partner and their children were not allowed to be by the side of the Lesbian partner in the hospital at her dying moments. Their legal documents were completely ignored.
I'll get back to you, Cheers.
