Hundreds rally for same-sex marriage

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Hundreds of people rallied at the Rhode Island Statehouse, part of a push for recognition of same-sex marriages in a state whose neighbors already do so.

About 500 people gathered yesterday at the steps of the Statehouse in a rally organized locally by Marriage Equality Rhode Island. The demonstration was also part of a day of protests around the country against a ban on gay marriage passed by California voters this month.

California's constitutional amendment throws into doubt as many as 18,000 gay marriages performed in that state since a court legalized same-sex unions earlier this year. Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri, House Speaker William Murphy and outgoing Senate President Joseph Montalbano all oppose gay marriage. Connecticut and Massachusetts recognize same-sex
marriages.