RI Senate to hold hearings on gay marriage bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Senate is set to hold hearings on a bill that would legalize gay marriage.

The hearing is scheduled for late today in the Statehouse.

A hearing in the House last month attracted hundreds of supporters and opponents. Leaders in the House say a vote on the legislation could occur as early as next week.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, and Democratic House Speaker Gordon Fox both support the bill.

The Senate is seen as the main obstacle to passage of the legislation. Democratic Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed opposes it.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.