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| Rhode Island to vote on gay marriage | Rhode Island to vote on gay marriage |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Rhode Island's state legislature is set to vote on legalising gay marriage, a move that would make it the 10th US state to back same-sex unions. | Rhode Island's state legislature is set to vote on legalising gay marriage, a move that would make it the 10th US state to back same-sex unions. |
| The state Senate will vote on legislation on Wednesday afternoon after it passed a key committee test. | The state Senate will vote on legislation on Wednesday afternoon after it passed a key committee test. |
| A similar bill was easily passed in the state House in January and has the support of Governor Lincoln Chafee. | A similar bill was easily passed in the state House in January and has the support of Governor Lincoln Chafee. |
| But previous efforts to allow gay marriage have been stymied by the Senate. | But previous efforts to allow gay marriage have been stymied by the Senate. |
| Legislation in 2011 stalled after it was clear it would be defeated in the state Senate. | Legislation in 2011 stalled after it was clear it would be defeated in the state Senate. |
| Rhode Island is the only state in the New England region not to allow gay marriage, and currently grants civil unions to same-sex couples. Gay marriage is legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. | |
| 'Unreal' | 'Unreal' |
| Amid swelling support since January, the state Senate's judiciary committee voted 7-4 to allow the chamber to debate the matter fully. | Amid swelling support since January, the state Senate's judiciary committee voted 7-4 to allow the chamber to debate the matter fully. |
| Dozens of supporters cheered and cried following the vote. | Dozens of supporters cheered and cried following the vote. |
| "It's almost unreal to think we're here, after all these years,'' Ken Fish, a 70-year-old gay man from Warwick, told the Associated Press. "I wasn't sure we'd ever get here." | "It's almost unreal to think we're here, after all these years,'' Ken Fish, a 70-year-old gay man from Warwick, told the Associated Press. "I wasn't sure we'd ever get here." |
| On Tuesday, the Senate's five Republicans announced they would all support the legislation, further improving the bill's chances. | On Tuesday, the Senate's five Republicans announced they would all support the legislation, further improving the bill's chances. |
| Governor Chafee, an independent, encouraged supporters to contact their senators ahead of the vote, but said he expected the bill to pass. | Governor Chafee, an independent, encouraged supporters to contact their senators ahead of the vote, but said he expected the bill to pass. |
| "I believe that when the roll is called, marriage equality will become law in Rhode Island," he said in a statement. | "I believe that when the roll is called, marriage equality will become law in Rhode Island," he said in a statement. |
| Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, among several Democrats who oppose the bill, said she would not obstruct debate when the chamber began deliberating on the legislation. | Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, among several Democrats who oppose the bill, said she would not obstruct debate when the chamber began deliberating on the legislation. |
| But the legislation's opponents say they are not giving up. | But the legislation's opponents say they are not giving up. |
| Senator Harold Metts, a Democrat, said he planned to fast and pray ahead of Wednesday's debate. | Senator Harold Metts, a Democrat, said he planned to fast and pray ahead of Wednesday's debate. |
| "Culture may change, but God has an immutable character," he said. "I'll be praying all night." | "Culture may change, but God has an immutable character," he said. "I'll be praying all night." |
| The legislation states that religious institutions may set their own rules for who they deem eligible to marry. | The legislation states that religious institutions may set their own rules for who they deem eligible to marry. |
| It also specifies that no religious leader is obligated to officiate at any marriage ceremony. | It also specifies that no religious leader is obligated to officiate at any marriage ceremony. |
| If the Senate vote passes, the bill would return to the state House to approve changes made since January. | If the Senate vote passes, the bill would return to the state House to approve changes made since January. |
| House Speaker Gordon Fox said a final vote could come as early as next week. | House Speaker Gordon Fox said a final vote could come as early as next week. |