Rhode Island Issues Same Sex Marriage Licenses

A few hours after Rhode Island became one of two new states to legalize same-sex marriage, the first batch of licenses were issued to couples around the state.   The new law took effect at midnight, but couple had to wait until 8:30 this morning to secure their licenses.

Rhode Island is now the 13th state and the last New England state to pass same sex marriage into law.   The other state that issued same-sex marriage licenses for the first time today was Minnesota.

A historic day such as this doesn't come without controversy.   the infamous Westboro Baptist Church is planning to hold protests in Providence as well as in some other Rhode Island cities.     Eight members of the Topeka church were outside of Providence City Hall when the building opened today, but the anti-protesters outnumbered them.