Yes ... we have finally started on the pathway to equality. In a 62-11 vote, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill to support civil unions, providing all the state-level rights given to married couples to same-sex couples.

The bill will now go to the RI Senate, where it is most likely going to pass, and our governor has promised to sign the bill.

I would like to thank all of the representatives who have supported this issue, particularly Gordon Fox, the Speaker of the House who took a risk to shift the debate from marriage equality to civil unions to keep the momentum going and preserving the fight for equal rights; my own representative Cale Keable, who has gone out of his way to support Ray and I and talk to us about the issue (and voting for it); and Frank Ferri (the final speaker in the video), for such an amazing and inspirational speech.

While I know we will have to continue to fight for true marriage equality, this moves us forward on the issue, preserving the possibility to have some rights and strive for the rest. I understand the practicality of being forced to be choose between equality and rights.

br>