In celebration of National Freedom to Marry Week, Marriage Equality RI (MERI) is holding a press conference to kick off our 2008 legislative efforts to secure equal rights for same-sex Rhode Island couples. MERI will be introducing a platform of basic rights protections, and introducing individuals who are or will be impacted by this legislation.
What: Press Conference where MERI will be introducing our 2008 legislative platform, and calling on the legislature to help protect and support all Rhode Island families.
When: Wednesday, February 13, 3:30 PM
Where: Rhode Island State House, Bell Room (Located on the far side of the Rotunda on the first floor)
Who: Jenn Steinfeld, Director, Marriage Equality Rhode Island; Susan and Stacey Heroux; Annette Berarducci, a funeral director in Johnston; Steven Brown, Executive Director of the Rhode Island ACLU; Representative David Segal.
Why: Currently, Rhode Island same-sex couples are excluded from marriage within our state borders. This exclusion carries with it insecurity and fear, and many worry about their ability to care for and protect their families in times of illness, infirmity, and death.
In celebration of the 11th annual National Freedom to Marry Week, MERI will be unveiling our 2008 legislative platform. This platform includes the Compassion for All Families Act, an effort to provide families in crisis with some basic protections in these uncertain times. We continue to call on our legislature to ensure that all Rhode Island families have the same opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams, and to provide all committed couples with the same freedom to marry.