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.