Introduction+to+the+Issue

Marriage Equality Project Introduction to the Problem A)   Background: Rhode Island, as a Northern Democratic state, has never took a stand on marriage equality. Two bills have been introduced but have never been passed or even acknowledged in the House Judiciary Committee. This committe can either pass, veto, or ignore a bill. This is exactly what they did with the act introduced by Representatives Handy, Fox, Ajello, Gemma, and Almeida. It was introduced February 26, 2008 and was never ignored nor passed. Basically it was pushed to the side, put on the bottom of the pile, or hid in a desk draw for the next ten months.   B)    Message Box: That LGBTQQ are intitled to the rights that opposite sex couples recieve when they unite in marriage. || What they say about themselves Marriage is defined as a bond between a man and a woman. It is scacred and holy and should be kept the way it is. || That religious aspects and laws written over 200 years ago shouldn't apply to the people of today. Society and culture has changed so much that it is unfair to act as though it hasn't. || What they say about us That LGBTQQ people are participating in an unhealthy lifestyle and only hurting society. They also accuse LGBTQQ people of encouraging violence, and substance abuse and that they contribute to the spread of diseases such as HIV and AIDS. ||
 * What we say about ourselves
 * What we say about them