RHODE ISLAND: State Supreme Court Rejects Suits Of Firefighters "Forced" To Drive In Providence Pride Parade

Via the Associated Press:

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has thrown out lawsuits brought by two Providence firefighters who said their constitutional rights were violated when they were ordered to drive a truck in a gay pride parade despite their religious objections. The firefighters, Theodore Fabrizio and Stephen Deninno, argued that they are Roman Catholics and therefore do not support or condone homosexuality. Justice William Robinson, writing for all five members of the high court this month, said the men appeared in the 2001 parade as public servants who were "relatively anonymous." He called it a legitimate work assignment. "The respondents' appearance in the parade, solely as members of the Providence Fire Department, did not constitute a form of expression on their part. Rather, it was simply the accomplishing of a task assigned to an engine company of the Providence Fire Department," Robinson wrote.

The suits were first filed in 2004. Read today's ruling.

RHODE ISLAND: State Supreme Court Hears Case Of Firefighters "Forced" To Drive In Providence Pride Parade

The Rhode Island Supreme Court today heard the case of two firefighters who are suing the city of Providence and former Mayor Buddy Cianci because 13 years ago they had to drive a firetruck during the pride parade. Which violated their religious freedom to be bigots, of course.

Following the nearly hour-long hearing, Cianci said he was astonished that 13 years later the case against him, former Fire Chief James Rattigan and the city is still alive. "In this day and age, I don't know why we are here," he said. "I hope this will be a victory for the gay community. They were taken to task and embarrassed [at the time]." Cianci noted that he was among the first mayors in the region to offer domestic partner benefits to gay couples. In the courtroom, lawyer Gina Decenso represented the firefighters, Theordore Fabrizio Jr., who is retired, and Stephen DeNinno, who is still with the department. She maintained that they were forced to join the parade against their wishes and were harassed afterward for their participation. She said she was "surprised" and "indignant" at Kevin McHugh, representing the city's solicitor's office, who called the case "ridiculous." "Public employees cannot be compelled to support an ideology they do not support," she said. McHugh countered that the firefighters' Constitutional rights to free speech and religion were not violated and that they do not have the right to pick and choose which orders of their supervisors they will carry out.

RELATED: While an ally, Cianci is no angel, having been booted out of office twice. His first stint as mayor ended in 1984 following an assault conviction and in 2002 he was sentenced to four years in federal prison after being convicted of racketeering, corruption, extortion, and witness tampering. He is now again running for mayor of Providence, where he has never lost an election.

A Happy First Anniversary

Providence Mayoral Candidate Brett Smiley Features Husband In Campaign Ad

Really cute ad. More about him here.

RHODE ISLAND: Gay House Speaker Steps Down After FBI Raid On Home & Office

Openly gay Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox announced yesterday that he is stepping down from his leadership position and will not seek reelection after the FBI conducted a raid on his home and office. The FBI has not disclosed the nature of the investigation.

"Because of the respect I have for all members of the House of Representatives, I am resigning as Speaker," Fox said in a written statement emailed to reporters. "The process of governing must continue and the transition of leadership must be conducted in an orderly manner." The 52-year-old Providence Democrat, who became the nation's first openly gay House speaker in 2010, said he planned to serve out the remainder of his term through the end of the year, but that "my personal focus going forward will be on my family and dealing with the investigation." It is unclear when Fox will officially resign, but the next scheduled meeting of the House is Tuesday. Fox has represented Rhode Island's capital in the General Assembly for more than 20 years and is one of the state's most powerful politicians.

In 2010 Fox was criticized by LGBT activists for pushing for civil unions rather than marriage, but he reversed in 2012 and was integral to the ultimate passage of Rhode Island's marriage equality bill. He married his partner at the statehouse last year.

RHODE ISLAND: Catholic Priest Vows Revenge On Pro-Marriage Legislators

In response to the beginning of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, a Catholic priest there has sent an open letter to state senators, warning them that he will rally his parishioners to unseat them if they voted for it. Which would be illegal, of course. From Father Brian Sistare's letter:

Dear RI Senators who voted for “marriage” between members of the same sex, Yesterday was a very sad day for our little state of Rhode Island. I’m still shocked that each of you took it upon yourself to take the place of God and redefine what He has established. Marriage has always been understood as the union between one man and one woman. This is a 5,000 year old fact! I’m wondering what you will do when a mother comes to you and asks to be married to her son, or a cousin wants to marry her first cousin, or when a man wants to marry 2 or 3 women, or a human being wants to marry his animal? What will you do, now that you have decided that Marriage is no longer a sacred union between one man and one woman? [snip] I’m praying for each of you, that you turn back to God. I’m also going to let my Parish know exactly how you voted, so come re-election time, you will not be re-elected. - Fr. Sistare,St. Rocco Church, Johnston, RI

RELATED: Also this week, Father Sistare reportedly told a married gay couple that attends his church that they will not be allowed to receive communion unless they get a divorce.

While many gay Rhode Islanders gained a new right last week, Lew Pryeor and Pierre Leveillee lost one yesterday. The Catholic couple from Woonsocket was told by their priest, Rev. Brian Sistare of Sacred Heart, that he would no longer give them communion at Sunday service. “I have been a Catholic all my life,” Pryeor told me yesterday after he was informed of Sistare’s decision to deny them the sacrament. “I like to go to church and light a candle for my family. Now, I feel like I can’t do that anymore.” Pryeor and Leveillee have been together for 34 years and were married in 2007. The couple moved to Woonsocket two years ago. He said they were always accepted at the other local Catholic churches they have attended in Warwick and West Warwick over the years.

Brown University Vs Westboro

Via JMG reader Dwight comes this photo snapped by Brown Professor Wendy Schiller.  Westboro is touring Rhode Island today to whine about the first day of same-sex marriage.

Anti-Gay Hate Group Tells Clerks In MN & RI They Don't Have To Marry Gays

Just one day after NOM's Brian Brown issued a spittle-flecked denouncement of the "lawless" politicians who defy same-sex marriage bans, Alliance Defending Freedom has issued a notice to clerks in Rhode Island and Minnesota, offering them free legal defense if they defy local marriage laws.

Alliance Defending Freedom is advising officials responsible for issuing marriage licenses in Rhode Island and Minnesota that they do not have to violate their faith or conscience by personally issuing licenses to applicants who are of the same sex. Two new legal memos issued Wednesday in Rhode Island and Minnesota advise officials that they can delegate responsibility for issuing the licenses to deputies or assistants who don’t have conscience-based objections to issuing the licenses to same-sex applicants.

“No American should have to choose between their conscience and their job in America,” said Litigation Counsel Kellie Fiedorek. “The First Amendment protects Americans from being coerced to give up their careers to maintain their religious freedom. Religious freedom is guaranteed to every American, including those issuing marriage licenses.” Fiedorek explained that the government can respect the faith and conscience of officials while providing no impediment to carrying out the law.

The rules are always different if you love Jesus. Praise! Glory! (Via Zack Ford @ Think Progress)

Marriages Begin In Rhode Island

Dozens of couples married in Minnesota last night at the stroke of midnight, but it appears that Rhode Island's marriages just started this morning.

Officials around Rhode Island began issuing licenses when offices opened at 8:30 a.m., including in Newport. A couple that have been together for 41 years, Federico Santi and John Gacher, arrived first thing at the Newport clerk's office. They had previously been joined in a civil union, so they were immediately married after getting their license. Newport City Clerk Kathleen Silvia calls Thursday, in her words, "a day of smooching" in Rhode Island.

RELATED: Four members of Westboro Baptist Church are hopping around Rhode Island this morning for protests at various civic venues. Counter-protesters are matching their every move.

Wingnut Tries To Stop RI Marriage

Same-sex marriage becomes legal tomorrow in Rhode Island and the wingnuts are flailing about in their usual desperation to stop it.

Ronald L’Heureux, a cofounder of the Faith Alliance to Preserve the Sanctity of Marriage as Defined by God, brought a petition and complaint to the court on Tuesday morning and sought a temporary restraining order to stop the law from taking effect. Judge Daniel A. Procaccini denied the request, saying L’Heureux had fallen “far short” of the criteria needed to obtain a temporary restraining order, said court spokesman Craig Berke.  Instead, Procaccini scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 9.

L’Heureux’s complaint, which names Governor Chafee, state Department of Health Director Michael Fine and 75 state lawmakers who voted for same-sex marriage as defendants, argues that legalizing same-sex marriage will violate religious freedoms guaranteed by the state Constitution, forcing people to accept, in public spheres such as schools, a practice that they oppose based on their faith. “It violates the Constitution and causes irreparable harm, and once it passes they’re going to teach my children and grandchildren conduct that’s reprehensible to my faith,” said L’Heureux, who represented himself in court.

The above-linked story is presently at the top of NOM's blog.

WBC: Are You Illerate? Can't You Read?

Same-sex marriages commence in Rhode Island on August 1st. Via Pink News.

Another Drunk Driving Catholic Bishop

Bishop Robert McManus of the Diocese of Worchester, Massachusetts was arrested in Rhode Island last night and charged with drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and refusing a Breathlyzer test.

McManus is to be arraigned Tuesday in district court in Wakefield, R.I. “I made a terrible error in judgment by driving after having consumed alcohol with dinner,” McManus said in the statement. “There is no excuse for the mistake I made, only a commitment to make amends and accept the consequences of my action.” “More importantly,” he said, “I ask forgiveness from the good people whom I serve, as well as my family and friends, in the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Providence.” Pope John Paul II appointed McManus as the fifth bishop of the Worcester diocese in 2004.

Last year McManus forced Anna Marie College to cancel a commencement address by Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow, allegedly because of her support for marriage equality. (Tipped by JMG reader Allen)

RELATED: San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone was arrested for DUI in San Diego last August.

RI Gives SF Archbishop The Sadz

"The meaning of marriage cannot be redefined, because its meaning lies in our very nature. Therefore, regardless of what law is enacted, marriage remains the union of one man and one woman – by the very design of nature, it cannot be otherwise. Marriage is the only institution that unites a man and a woman to each other and to any child conceived of their union. While those making great sacrifices to raise their children in less than ideal circumstances need and deserve our love and support, we cannot claim to have a just society if we do not look out for the most vulnerable among us: children." - San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, in a statement published by the Rhode Island Catholic Conference.

Rhode Island Gives NOM The Sadz

"Children deserve to know and be cared for by a mom and a dad. This law will intentionally deny children one or the other. The full impact may not be seen next week or next year, but our children will be the ones who pay the price for this decision. Without robust legal protections to allow these faithful people and groups to maintain fidelity in the public square to their religious beliefs, we’re likely to see a raft of lawsuits and governmental action such as license revocations, fines and denial of governmental contracts to these faith-based groups and individuals." - NOM Rhode Island director Christopher Plante, riding the waambulance for Focus On The Family.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee Celebrates On MSNBC

Photos Of The Day

All of New England is now officially on the side of equality.  Congratulations Rhode Island!

LIVE: Final Rhode Island Marriage VoteUPDATE: Marriage PASSES 56-15!!!

Watch it live here.

RI Bishop: Don't Go To Gay Weddings

"At this moment of cultural change, it is important to affirm the teaching of the Church, based on God’s word, that 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2357) and always sinful. And because 'same-sex marriages' are clearly contrary to God’s plan for the human family, and therefore objectively sinful, Catholics should examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies, realizing that to do so might harm their relationship with God and cause significant scandal to others." - Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin, in a crybaby pastoral letter published today.

Quote Of The Day - RI Gov Lincoln Chafee

"When I sign the Marriage Equality Act into law, I will be thinking of the Rhode Islanders who have fought for decades simply to be able to marry the person they love. I will be thinking of how Rhode Island is upholding its legacy as a place founded on the principles of tolerance and diversity. But I will also be thinking, as all governors must, about the economy. With marriage equality becoming law tomorrow night in Rhode Island, we are sending a clear message that we are open for business, and that all are welcome. I hope that leaders in capitals across the country — including Washington — will soon realize that marriage equality is an issue where doing the right thing and the smart thing are one and the same." - Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, writing for the New York Times. Hit the link and read the full essay.

NOM Begs RI Legislators To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination With Marriage Bill

"At a bare minimum, the [marriage] legislation should be amended to provide all the provisions of the Corvese amendment to our civil union law and to ensure that individuals, small businesses and religious-based charitable and educational groups are not targeted by government or others with lawsuits, fines, denials of contracts and other forms of punishment for refusing to accept this radical redefinition of marriage." - Christopher Plante, head of NOM Rhode Island.  The bill will finalized today by the state House and signed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee late this afternoon.