Rhode Island appears to be the  next state working towards marriage equality. Following in the same legislative steps of the state of Illinois are currently trying to employ, the measure will make it known that no churches or other religious establishments will have to perform wedding ceremonies for same sex couples.  Here’s more from The Advocate:

A marriage equality bill will be introduced in the Rhode Island legislature Thursday, theProvidence Journal reports.

State representative Arthur Handy, the bill’s sponsor, said he will need Wednesday to recruit cosponsors, who will include openly gay House speaker Gordon Fox.

Rhode Island legislators have previously abandoned efforts to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples because of insufficient support. The state has had civil unions since 2011, and it recognizes out-of-state same-sex marriages. But it remains the only New England state without marriage equality.

While Rhode Island legislators may be in the beginning processes of making marriage equality law, they do have the advantage of  2012 elections momentum that saw three states approve of same sex marriage. The state currently allows only civil unions.