
Rhode Island Recognizes Massachusetts Gay
Marriages
PROVIDENCE, RI -- The state of Rhode Island
should recognize the gay marriages of state employees performed in
Massachusetts and extend the same benefits, Attorney General Patrick
Lynch said in a letter to a state department, AP reports.
Massachusetts is the only state in the US that allows gay marriages.
" Rhode
Island will recognize same sex marriages lawfully performed in
Massachusetts as marriages in Rhode Island," Lynch said in a letter
released Wednesday.
The Attorney General said there is no strong reason to deny recognition
to gay marriages performed in Massachusetts since Rhode Island does not
have any laws banning gay marriage. Rhode Island already prohibits
discrimination based on sexual orientation and also provide benefits
such as health insurance to domestic partners of state employees.
According to Michael Healey, a spokesman for Lynch, the opinion is not
legally binding, but attorney Michele Granda from the Gay & Lesbian
Advocates & Defenders said most government agencies in Rhode Island are
likely to pay attention to the legal advice of the state's top lawyer.
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