Rhode Island leader plans gay divorce legislation

Rhode Island House Majority Leader Gordon Fox
 

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island House Majority Leader Gordon Fox says he’ll file a bill in the state’s legislature that would allow married gay couples to divorce.

The state’s highest court ruled in a 3-2 decision in December that a lesbian couple who married in Massachusetts could not get divorced in their home state of Rhode Island.

Supporters of the bill say it makes no sense to require people to remain married when they have no desire to do so.

But the legislation is expected to face opposition from Gov. Don Carcieri and many other lawmakers.

The group Marriage Equality RI is also calling for passage of a measure that would give domestic partners access to benefits such as family medical leave, nursing home visitation and funeral planning.

Gay marriage is illegal in the Ocean State.