On Friday, June 29, Gordon Fox, the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, stated that he will hold a vote on freedom to marry legislation early in the 2013 legislative session.

 Marc Solomon, National Campaign Director of Freedom to Marry, issued the following statement:

 “With overwhelming public support and surrounded by freedom to marry states, Rhode Island is past due for a freedom to marry law.  We appreciate Speaker Gordon Fox’s commitment to moving marriage legislation in 2013, and look forward to working closely with Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Speaker Fox, Governor Chafee, and other allies to secure passage of a bill early next year.  Combined with a victory at the ballot in Maine this November, passing this bill will enable all loving and committed couples the freedom to marry throughout New England.”

Earlier this year, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee signed an executive order mandating that all state agencies recognize all legal marriages for same-sex couples performed outside of Rhode Island.