Tell Rep. Ginaitt to Take Action!

With only a month left in the legislative session, we still have 3 bills that have not had hearings. One of these would consider domestic partners as next of kin for the purposes of making funeral arrangements and decisions about a deceased partner’s remains - a basic, final dignity that anyone should enjoy. Please email Representative Ginaitt, the bill's sponsor, today, and ask him to make sure that this bill gets a hearing and a vote before the end of the session. It's just simple fairness.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Secure a Hearing on H 5473 (Funeral Planning)

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Thank you so much for your ongoing support of equality, and for sponsoring equal marriage legislation again this year. As you know, there is a platform of domestic partner protections that has been introduced this year; we need your help to ensure that H 5473, which would consider domestic partners as next of kin for the purposes of making funeral arrangements and decisions about a deceased partner's remains, gets a hearing and a vote before the end of the session. As your constituent, I know you support equality for same-sex couples; I need to know that you will advocate for this most basic protection.

All Rhode Islanders deserve the final dignity of knowing that the person closest to them will be the one to make their final arrangements. It's just simple fairness. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 23, 2007

Background Information

As the legislative session begins to wind down, we want to make sure that all the bills in the MERI platform get fair hearings and votes. One of the clearest and simplest bills we've introduced this year would ensure that domestic partners are treated as next of kin in making funeral decisions. This bill hasn't yet had a hearing, and should.

Please, email Representative Ginaitt today to make sure he asks for a hearing and a vote on H 5473, and helps to ensure that same-sex couples have this final dignity.