Rhode Island Governor Won't Even Give Rights to Dead Gays

[FreeState]

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/11/rhode-island-governor-wont-even-give-rights-to-dead-gays.html

If you're gay and you die in Rhode Island your domestic partner won't be able to make funeral arrangements for you because Governor Donald Carcieri just vetoed a bill providing for that.

Why?

According to Carcieri, "This bill represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage, which is not the preferred way to approach this issue. If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnerships, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the state of Rhode Island decide.''

Carcieri, who is also a strong supporter of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), recently told the crowd of more than 300 at a fundraiser for the anti-gay group Massachusetts Family Institute that marriage is "not a civil right". Said the governor: "It is a not civil right. I get aggravated when it is portrayed that way. Marriage is a license by the state. It is about a state’s responsibility, which is the reason why states don’t allow a lot of types of marriages."

[VMI Dem]

1. Marriage is a license by the state. It is about a state’s responsibility"

He's got some pretty powerful support on that part.

[noiretextatique]

2. what the hell does this have to do with "traditional marriage"?

nothing. this is cruelty masquerading as "concern" what a stupid, hateful country this is.

[KamaAina]

3. "which is the reason why states don’t allow a lot of types of marriages"

Way to go, Carcieri. Imply that same-sex marriage = marrying a 12-year-old. :grr: :banghead: :argh:

Why does the second-Bluest state in the nation (after MA) have this repuke POS as its governor, anyway?! :wtf:

[cali]

6. Lots of socially conservative dems in RI

and I'd argue that Vermont is the most liberal state in the country.

[dysfunctional press]

4. who makes the funeral arrangements for single/widowed people?

:shrug:

[FreeState]

5. Next of kin - parent, sibling or child usually

unless there is a will that has that all set up and that will is recognized (which historically for gay people is not often enough - lots of people died in the 80s whose parent fought to take control to have their partner excluded despite wills and papers.).

[dysfunctional press]

7. who does it for people with no next of kin...?

it seems to me that anyone should be able to make funeral arrangements for anyone else. :shrug:

[imdjh]

10. They usually do. Not a job most people fight over, unless there is money involved.

And it takes surprisingly little money to get people involved. A friend's lover died, and the deceased's estranged mother magically appeared from Texas to take over arrangements and try to rob my friend blind. But the gods have a sense of humor. It seems there had been a will, made out for the PREVIOUS lover, who tossed mom out on her can, and made sure that the present lover got everything, including the proper memorial for his deceased partner.

[FreeState]

11. If there is no next of kin or will then the County does it n/t

[zbdent]

15. or those whose family essentially said he/she was dead to them?

and refused any part of that person's life? Should the state thus just dump the body, since the only person who cared for the deceased is not recognized by the state?

Unless the deceased dies leaving a sizable chunk of change ... then you'd likely see the family that denied him/her suddenly be so concerned about the disposition of the deceased ...

[bluestateguy]

8. "The homos are mocking this country and embarrassing America!"*

*Actual quote a former friend said to me about 10 years ago.

We are no longer friends.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

9. Carcieri sucks

How that asshole got re-elected is beyond me. But he's a hero to the numerous reich-wing talk show hosts here in RI who stink up the airwaves.

[artfan]

17. Carcieri is an embarassment

He allows his personal religious beliefs to rule his decisions and he is a hypocrite.

-he says no casino but expands gambling in Lincoln and in Newport (apparently video slots do not count)
-he supports strong families but pulls this crap
-he cuts pay for the lowest paid state workers then gives raises to his pals
-he only goes on friendly talk shows who lob softball questions at him and attack his political opposition

The funny thing is they just had a 'discussion' on the 'brain drain' in the state. They refuse to see these policies drive away so many of our brightest young people. My oldest two sons are both looking to leave the state as soon as they finish school because they oppose the right wing slant in the capitol and on the radio.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

20. We're an f'ed up state

Carceri is a right-wing hack, but the "democrats" around here aren't much better. They're either in someone's pocket or they don't want to piss off the puritans. I'm not looking forward to the crop running for governor next year.

The casino stuff makes me laugh. You've got Linc Almond saying he's against the Indian casino because of crime or the poor or whatever, while his son runs Twin River. Meanwhile, if people want to gamble, they don't go to Newport or Twin River, they flock to Mohegan and Foxwoods. Our economy sucks, YES, LET'S BROKER A DEAL WITH THE NARRAGANSETTS AND WHOEVER THEY WANT TO BUILD IT AND GET A FUCKING CASINO!!! Then they wonder why things in this state never change.

And talk radio here is as bad as anywhere. All day.......state workers suck.....state workers are evil......about the only thing I agree with is the legislature sucks too, but idiots like Depeitro and Yorke think it's because "They're all Democrats!!!". No, it's because they are crooks and only run as Dems to get elected!!!

[bigwillq]

12. The people should not decide my rights.

I believe state and federal governments should be in charge of granting equal rights to all people (and yes I know that "the people" elect these leaders, but that's not the point), whether or not they agree or disagree with it for whatever BS reason they want to use. Civil rights should never be put up to a referendum.

[ThomCat]

13. They are going to use this backlash against gay marriage

to deny us any possible rights they can. They are going to deprive us of anything and everything they can find a way to take away.

Their ultimate goal is to drive us away somehow. They want a straights-only society and our party isn't raising a finger to protect us. :(

[valerief]

14. What a twerp. Isn't, like, half of Rhode Island gay, too? nt

[Canuckistanian]

16. Isn't "a license by the state" a civil right?

What if you denied left-handers the right to get a driver's license? Or female lawyers a license to practice law?

He's just destroyed his own argument by bringing up "licenses".

Look for a court challenge REAL soon.

[gaspee]

18. I can't wait for this

Prick to be gone - he's a smirker just like the chimp in chief - I can't even see this assholes face on TV without getting riled up. Chafee's going to be our next governor - finally 0 a decent human being instead of this piece of garbage.

[Mari333]

19. what a scumsucking pig!!!!!!

thats all I have to say, anything else would be banned outright.

[pokerfan]

21. Don't die gay in R.I.

Category: Equality • Ethics • Politics
Posted on: November 12, 2009 12:43 PM, by PZ Myers

Sometimes I find it hard to believe how callous these conservative politicians can be. The governor of Rhode Island has just vetoed a bill that would have allowed a same-sex partner to make funeral arrangements for a dead partner. So imagine this: someone wracked with grief at the loss of someone to whom they had committed a substantial part of their life now gets to also be told that they are locked out of the responsibility of taking care of anything to do with the funeral ceremony. How degrading and insensitive; how vile and intrusive.

Shame on Governor Carcieri. It takes a real man to kick the heart-broken and bereaved at the moment of their deepest hurt, and Carcieri has arranged to do it over and over again for years to come.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/11/dont_die_gay_in_ri.php