Comments on: R.I. gov. vetoes gay funeral rights bill

By: Wayne M.

Wayne M. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:23:11 +0000

This governor has made a completely immoral decision. The sad truth is that so called traditional family members abandoned their Lesbian or Gay family member years ago– and then suddenly reappear to make decisions and collect from the will when the person dies. LGBT people must have the right to pick the people who make the decisions for their funerals after they die– as well as whom they choose to be their close family members.

By: cestlefun17

cestlefun17 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:41:40 +0000

As a Rhode Islander I can tell you that we generally despise all our politicians (99% of whom are corrupt). Gov. Carcieri is no excpetion. He has done absolutely nothing for the state. He cannot run in 2010 due to term limits.

This in no way represents the view of Rhode Islanders, a majority of whom support equal marriage rights (by the second largest majority in the country, behind only Massachusetts).

The good news is that a governor’s veto is ridiculously easy to override and happens quite frequently with Carcieri. There are only a small handful of Republicans in the legislature, and it only takes a 3/5 vote to override a veto here (smaller than a 2/3 majority in most places).

By: Rosie T

Rosie T — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:50:31 +0000

Fuck him. He shouldn’t be able to plan his wife’s funeral if someone who’s not a “traditional family member” but has been essentially the wife/husband of the deceased can’t plan the funeral. It’s so bad that sometimes we have to put up with being disinvited to our partners’ funerals by their homophobic families.

For shame, Gov. Asshole. For shame.

By: Robert Katz

Robert Katz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:54:17 +0000

For what it’s worth, this scumbag is termed out so he’ll be gone after next year. I hope the state legislature does the right thing and overrides his veto. It was both heartless and pointless.

Based on what I understand from some of the above comments the main effect of this veto will be that those who have not taken legal steps to ensure that their wishes are followed. It will also, I assume, impact couple in the unfortunate position having an unexpected death take place, especially if they are legally joined out-of-state. In other words it will mainly affect those who have already been traumatized the most.

Nice work, governor.

By: nickmat

nickmat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:29:13 +0000

If a couple was married a year, it would be acceptable to claim your spouse’s remains! That is why a Marriage Bill needs to be passed in RI!!!

By: Sweetkisses

Sweetkisses — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:12:03 +0000

Isaac, you know that’s not what I meant. I’m not stupid. I was being dramatic. Duh!

By: femme

femme — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:18:38 +0000

So a heterosexual wife or husband’s wishes do not trump the wishes
over “the transitional family” to decide on all aspects of the funeral, because they were only married a year or even less?

Or is that just different? (rhetorical question of course)

By: femme

femme — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:10:09 +0000

Wow. Once again I am reminded why I am a very happy Canadian.
Here people have an equal right to marry and before that, many partnership rights which people who were not gay had. Because our courts found any other way to be discrimination.

I also don’t understand the idea of putting issues, especially those facing a minority.
Isn’t that just a cop out and another way to pretend one cares about the issue?
Imagine the out come had years back such a ballet question made on whether to give women the right to vote/be considered a person.
Or whether to end slavery.

And just how is something a court rules one way on, able to then be ignored because people don’t like it and vote against the court ruling?
Why bother having a court if their rulings can be ignored?

By: DaveW

DaveW — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:07:34 +0000

This is so ironic from where I happen to sit this week..in the heart of old Europe’s catholic culture and we were just discussing last night how the gothic cathedrals were built to inspire fear and awe in the peasentry that passed through its gates.

The imagery is quite amazing when one realizes that from birth these people have been brainwased into fear that turns into hate when combined with the horrible calls to action the church emits.

This pig is obvioulsy ensnared in such brainwashing and the irony of it being Rhode Island, founded by people seeking freedom from the wackos that took over Massachusetts and started killing all non conformers is just too much to miss.

I just wonder if the good citizens of Rhode Island realize that when electing a catholic cultist bigot they will get some of this crazy activity.

Obviously he has a family that would want to not allow a real partner to take part..his would be that family eliminating partners from trusts and the ability to take part in a loved ones crucial life decisions.

People need to be educated about the consequences of their decision. If we keep electing bigoted cultists to office we are going to get theocratic behavoir such as this.

By: gayactivist101

gayactivist101 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:29:56 +0000

I call for Gov. Carcieri to be sacked from his position and have ALL of his rights stripped [how do you like that]!!!

As I have said in the past numerous times: “lets totally ban bigots, rednecks, Republicans and extreme zealots from marriage (including the 1,167 rights associated with marriage) and a ban on bigots, rednecks, Republicans and extreme zealots from having any sex or partner-up with others (similar to a sodomy law) and even going so far as banning the practice of bigots, rednecks, Republicans and extreme zealots associating with other”.