RI: Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of Gay Funeral Rights Bill

''Not being able to claim his body was certainly something that was beyond belief, was beyond human compassion from anyone. There was just no compassion whatsoever from anyone in the state.'' Mark Goldberg, 49, explaining why he pushed for a bill to allow for the legal recognition of non-married partners when it comes to funeral planning. It is reported that Goldberg's partner, Ron Hanby, committed suicide two years ago, and despite multiple documents including wills, the state medical examiner would not release Hanby's body to his gay partner. The Rhode Island legislature just overrode a veto by Republican Governor Donald Carcieri of the bill which had passed with near-unanimous, bipartisan support. He continued his mean-spirited comments on the matter yesterday by sending out a letter that said the bill "represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage...." The law will apply to same-sex and heterosexual couples who can prove that they are 18+, and have shared a life together for a year. Full Story from Metro Weekly: http://www.metroweekly.com/news/last_word/2010/01/last-rights-rhode-island-defea.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Rhode Island.

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