Marriage Equality Is Now The Law In Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the last New England state to reach marriage equality. It is the 10th state, plus DC, to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Rhode Island Senate passed a same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday, April 24th.

Steven Senne / AP

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, pledged to sign the bill immediately following its final passage.

The first weddings could take place Aug. 1, when the new law would take effect.

Matt McDermott @mattmfm

Speaker Fox @repgordonfox wiping away tears as seession is about to begin. What a day, after 20 years #ri4m

08:13 PM - 02 May 2013

Speaker Fox @repgordonfox wiping away tears as seession is about to begin. What a day, after 20 years #ri4m-- Matt McDermott

Today, the Rhode Island House voted to approve the Senate's changes to the marriage bill:

Twitter: @philmarcelo

Twitter: @NewsProvidence

Rhode Island House Speaker blows a kiss to gay marriage supporters in the chamber:

rilin.state.ri.us

maria caporizzo @mariacap

"Democracy, though it may take a long time, does work. That is the message for the day." -- RI House Speaker Gordon Fox #ssm

08:23 PM - 02 May 2013

"Democracy, though it may take a long time, does work. That is the message for the day." -- RI House Speaker Gordon Fox #ssm-- maria caporizzo

The House voted 56-15 in favor of marriage equality:

rilin.state.ri.us

Twitter: @philmarcelo

A pride flag in the gallery:

Twitter: @tednesi

Crowds gathered outside the state house:

Twitter: @BayWindowsNE

Twitter: @GLADLaw

statigr.am

turnto10.com

Gov. Chafee: I am proud to make marriage equality the law of the land in Rhode Island.

Twitter: @GLADLaw

statigr.am

Twitter: @LincolnChafee

Signing the bill:

Twitter: @SenWhitehouse

Twitter: @LambdaLegal