Same-Sex Couples In Rhode Island Can Get Married Today
This morning local officials began to issue the first marriage licenses to same-sex couples. ‘‘A day of smooching’’ for Rhode Island.
At the stroke of midnight on Thursday, Rhode Island and Minnesota became the 12th and 13th U.S. states to allow same-sex marriage.
Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters
Rhode Island is the last New England state to allow same-sex marriage.
Charles Krupa / AP
Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the marriage equality bill into law on May 2, 2013.
Charles Krupa / AP
Officials in Rhode Island began issuing licenses when offices opened at 8:30 a.m. this morning.
STEVEN SENNE / AP
Among the first to arrive for licenses were John Gacher and Federico Santi of Newport , R.I.. They have been together for over 41 years.
Steven Senne / AP
The couple had a simple ceremony, as they told the AP, "After living together for 41 years, we don't have anything to prove . It's like going down and getting a driver's license."