At yesterday's State House gathering, Providence mother Wendy Becker says, "We will not destroy the fabric of society. We are the fabric of society."

08:59 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

BY KAREN LEE ZINER
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- The little girl in the polka-dot tights held a paper heart sign that said her mothers have been together for 17 years.

Journal photo / Kathy Borchers

Rep. Paul Moura, D-Providence, speaking to the State House crowd of 300, says "Everyone deserves the safety and security that comes with marriage."

One of those mothers, Wendy Becker, spoke at a State House rally yesterday about why Rhode Island should allow same-sex marriages. At her side was her partner, Mary Norton, who held their young son in her arms.

"It's not OK to have two tiers of justice in this country," said Becker.

They were a family, she said. And it is time for people who love each other -- people such as Becker and Norton -- to be able to marry, "regardless of their gender."

Countering an argument frequently cited by opponents, Becker added, "We will not destroy the fabric of society. We are the fabric of society . . ."

Becker said she and Norton, of Providence, want a world for their children "where their parents' love is as valued as their friends' parents' love . . . and where prejudice never determines public policy."

The rally, sponsored by Marriage Equality RI, drew an estimated 300 people who favor legalizing same-sex marriage in this state. Red paper hearts denoting long-term relationships between gay and lesbian partners dotted the crowd, as did signs such as "Love Doesn't Discriminate and Neither Should RI," and "Straights Against Hate."

A banner unfurled from the top balcony that reached to the first floor, outlined some of the 1,400 federal and state rights -- including family leave, inheritence and medical decision-making -- that marriage affords and that are denied to same-sex couples.

Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston, and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence, chief sponsors of matching bills that would make same-sex marriages legal in this state, were among a roster of speakers that included faith leaders, families, couples (gay and straight), young people, straight allies, and legislators.

A House Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for yesterday was postponed; a new date has not yet been set, proponents said yesterday.

Perry said, "One of my sons is straight, and one of them is gay, and I'm proud of both of them." But she said that she worries, like all mothers do, about their financial stability. She said their access to financial stability should be on an even playing field.

"I believe that marriage equality will be the equalizer as it relates to state employment and federal income tax," said Perry, who drew a large ovation.

Perry also made note that "Gingah Rale," who was recently crowned Miss Gay Rhode Island, was in the crowd. Perry said she was proud to serve as one of the contest judges, and she feels "very comfortable in this community."

Rodney Davis, co-chair of RI Pride and yesterday's master of ceremonies, said the State House "is OUR house."

"Many times people will tell us, 'Why don't you go to Massachusetts if you want to get married? (Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage last year.) But this is my home . . . we don't want anything special. We want what everyone else has -- equality for all Rhode Islanders."

Rep. Paul E. Moura, D-Providence, introduced as a longstanding proponent of civil rights, said he sees the same-sex marriage issue "as one of the most critical civil-rights issues of our generation."

Moura said he'd been looking at some of the signs in the crowd, including one that said "together for 40 years," and thinking about his own 10-year marriage and the legal rights that come with it -- rights that are denied under current law.

"Everyone deserves the safety and security that comes with marriage . . . you must keep coming here" to the State House, said Moura, who also urged that they keep calling their legislators and asking their support for the House and Senate bills.

Handy, who has sponsored same-sex marriage legislation for three years, said yesterday's turnout "shows how broad and how wide and how deep this group really is."

Karen Lee Ziner can be reached at 401-277-7375, or kziner [at] projo.com