Civil Unions Advance In RI House

The Rhode Island state Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday voted 9-3 to send a civil unions bill to the full chamber.

The civil union bill has attracted little public support from groups and lawmakers on both sides of the marriage debate. Gay marriage supporters say civil unions treat gay couples as second-class citizens. Opponents say civil unions are marriage by another name and worry they could open the door to gay marriage in Rhode Island. Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and the District of Columbia currently recognize gay marriage. Four states -- Illinois, Hawaii, New Jersey and Delaware -- have passed civil union laws similar to the one being considered in Rhode Island.

The House is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow.