PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island's House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation allowing gay couples to enter into civil unions, after a last-ditch effort to revive gay-marriage legislation failed.
The 62-11 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where leaders predict broad support for civil unions.
The proposal would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions granting all of the rights given to married couples. It was introduced as a compromise after legislative leaders said gay-marriage legislation lacked the votes.
