Same-Sex Marriage Rally Targets E.P. Sen. Conley on Judiciary Committee

East Providence Sen. William Conley Jr. was the target of a rally by marriage-equality advocates Monday evening at Church of the Epiphany in Rumford.

The rally took place on the eve of Senate Judiciary Committee votes on three pieces same-sex marriage legislation today in the State House. Conley serves as a member of the Senate panel.

“It’s primarily to send a message to Sen. Conley, who said he is still considering the bills,” said Devin Driscoll, communications director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage. 

“He has been incredibly receptive to meeting with constituents,” Driscoll said. “He will be meeting with constituents again on Tuesday.”

Ray Sullivan, campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, echoed Driscoll’s comments.

“Conley is a good man,” Sullivan told several dozen same-sex marriage supporters gathered on the front lawn of the Episcopal church on Pawtucket Avenue. “He has received our messages with an open mind and an open heart.”

Now the advocates hope he will vote in favor of sending same-sex marriage legislation to the full Senate for a vote.

“We remain cautiously optimistic,” said Driscoll. “We’ve been that way all along.”

Marriage-equality advocates actually got some good news Monday afternoon, he said, when the legislation was amended to get rid of languge that exempted small businesses from providing goods or services for same-sex marriages based on religious grounds. 

“That is good news,” said Driscoll. “The business exemption is not in the amended legislation.” 

The rally also saw a variety of clergy parade to a microphone to deliver a similar message: that gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights to turn their love for each other into a legal marriage.

The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick of Epiphany Church said gay couples have the right to adopt children but not the right to marry. The assistant to the rector at Epiphany, the Rev. Edmund Harris, has, in fact, adopted two children with his partner, she said. But they cannot legally marry in Rhode Island. 

The Rev. Harris, who has become a frequent TV guest during the campaign for marriage equality, said the effort is all about spreading the love that Jesus Christ espoused so freely. He also said he believes in miracles.

“If Jesus can rise from the dead,” he said,” Sen. Conley can vote for this bill.”

Rumford couple Sharon Mulberry and Paul Kocon, who have been together for 20 years, also spoke at the rally.

Mulberry said: “It is the only way to achieve the highest level of commitment.”

She urged Conley “to be brave and vote for marriage equality.”