Official: R.I. should recognize Mass. gay unions

State’s attorney general says there’s no reason to deny them recognition

NBC Video: Politics

Adding more women to the Supreme Court
July 10: Slate.com’s Emily Bazelon discusses the importance of adding another woman to the Supreme Court to round out its demographics.

Sestak announces Pennsylvania run

TARP fund slush fund?

Looking ahead to the Sotomayor confirmation

Did CIA hide ‘assassination ring’ from Congress?

Palin followed orders on Ayers attack

Shower the people you love with love...

Color from Obama's meeting with Pope

Slideshow

The Week in Political Cartoons
Msnbc.com’s political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.

more photos

updated 11:34 a.m. ET Feb. 22, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch says his state should recognize the gay marriages of state employees performed in Massachusetts.

A letter dated yesterday from Lynch says Rhode Island prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and also extends benefits such as health insurance to domestic partners of state employees.

And because there’s no Rhode Island law banning gay marriage — Lynch says there’s no reason to deny recognition of same-sex unions performed in Massachusetts.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Massachusetts is the only state where gay marriage is legal.

Lynch spokesman Michael Healey says the opinion is not binding, but a staff attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders says she expects most government agencies in Rhode Island to heed the legal advice of the state’s top lawyer.