RI gay marriage bill to go up for vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Rhode Island will soon head to its first political test.

The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on the measure for Tuesday.

• Related: Gay marriage bills introduced in RI

If the panel passes the measure as expected, it will head to the full House for a vote, possibly next week. House Speaker Gordon Fox has said he wants the House to vote on the legislation by month's end.

Advocates for gay marriage like their chances in the House, but concede that the Senate is a tougher challenge.

Nine states and the District of Columbia now allow gay marriage. Rhode Island is the only state in New England without it.

A hearing on the bill this week attracted hundreds of people on both sides of the issue.