EDGE on the Net

An openly gay Republican candidate for Rhode Island’s House of Representatives has disavowed any connection with the National Organization for Marriage after the organization reportedly claimed it had endorsed him.

A July 21 post on progressive blog RIFuture claimed NOM had endorsed Erich Sturn, who running against openly gay House Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Providence). Brian Hull wrote NOM was "terrified that Rhode Island may enact marriage equality legislation next year".

Sturn pointed out in a statement he would be a stronger supporter of marriage for gays and lesbians than Fox.

"Perhaps they should endorse my opponent," he said. "In his first year as Speaker, Gordon Fox has blocked legislation aimed at legalizing both same-sex marriage and civil unions. Despite his assurances that he would allow an equal marriage bill to come before the next session, actions speak louder than words. He didn’t think it was important enough of an issue to debate and vote on in his first session as speaker. He should tell that to the thousands of Rhode Islanders being denied equal rights under the law. Gordon may be gay, but he really hasn’t been there for the LGBT community. When I’m elected, I will fight to get an equal marriage bill passed as soon as possible."

Christopher Plante, executive director of NOM’s Rhode Island chapter, quickly denied Hull’s report in an e-mail to EDGE.

"The report that NOM Rhode Island has issued an endorsement in the Rhode Island Fourth House District is just another false Internet rumor, reported by the Web site RIFuture.org," wrote Plante. "NOM Rhode Island has not made any endorsements in races yet this year. We have had no communication with the Web site in question, nor have we had communication with the candidates in the Fourth District campaign. If we do make endorsements in this or any other race, they would be made only after considering the candidates’ positions on the issues, and would be followed by a public announcement from NOM Rhode Island."

Lawmakers elected Fox, 48, in February to succeed William Murphy (D-West Warwick), who had held the position since 2003. Fox’s spokesman, Larry Berman, suggested a vote on a marriage bill may occur early next year.

"This year, (Fox) didn’t feel it was time to push it with the governor opposed to it," Berman said. "He thought maybe next year would be a better time."

Governor Don Carcieri has publicly opposed marriage for gays and lesbians. And while he leaves office early next year, NOM and its allies continue to oppose the idea of nuptials for same-sex couples in the Ocean State.

In the aftermath of their contentious July 18 State House rally on which EDGE previously reported, NOM condemned the LGBT counter-protesters’ behavior.

"We are calling on the leaders of Marriage Equality Rhode Island and Queer Action to repudiate the words and actions of followers who stormed the podium, who attempted to prevent NOM speakers from being heard, and most importantly those gay marriage advocates who approached and threatened children," said NOM. "This has no place in a civilized society. We understand that this is a difficult issue and that followers in a crowd can do things that leaders do not approve. We are asking Rhode Island gay marriage leaders to draw a line in the sand and say ’this was wrong, we’re sorry, it won’t happen again.’"