More than 300 supporters gathered on the north plaza of the RI State House this afternoon to hear advocates, couples, clergy, and legislators denounce the civil union bill and promise a continued fight for full marriage equality.

Martha Holt, board member of Marriage Equality RI (MERI), one of the organizers of the rally, introduced her wife Patty and son Tobin. "What we're fighting for is the chance for Tobin to grow up in a state that recognizes both his parents," she said. Civil unions, she argued, "Codify the idea that lesbian and gay families can be treated differently," she said. "Separate is never equal."

Other families spoke. Newport couple Larry Bacon and Dave Burnett have been together for 34 years. "All we want is the right to marry the person you love in the state you call home," said Bacon, asking why they should have to go somewhere else to wed and "park our benefits at the border." Annie Cronin Silva and Melanie Silva, who wed in Massachusetts, described the complexities of completing simple documents. "Shouldn't we be able to check off the box for married," Annie Silva asked.

Rev. Gene Dyszlewski, of Riverside Congregational Church of Christ, argued that passing civil union legislation "makes inequality the law," and in what sounded like a reproach of general assembly machinations, "decisions of conscience should not be sullied by dealmaking."

Methodist minister Rev. Duane Clinker of the Open Table of Christ was even more direct: "So what was Speaker Fox thinking?" he asked. "I think he forgot we're in this together."

Kate Brock of the progressive coalition group Ocean State Action pointed over her shoulder. "I'm angry at the people in this building," she said. "But when we get beat down, we don't lie there. We stand back up and keep up the fight." She vowed to continue the fight for equality and urged the crowd to watch their legislators. "The 2012 election cycle starts NOW!"

MERI legislative director Ray Sullivan announced their support for Rep. Art Handy's just-introduced amendment to the civil union bill that would recognize full marriage rights. "We will not settle for legalized discrimination," said Sullivan. "Not in this session. Not ever."

Rep. Frank Ferri leads group of Handy amendment supporters.

Rep. Handy lamented the "misperception" in the general assembly about what marriage equality "means to people in this state." Rep. Frank Ferri spoke on behalf of a group of progressive legislators backing Handy's amendment. "We had been promised a day on the house floor," he said, and urged listeners to stand behind those who supported the amendment. "We are not giving up. We want equality."

Full disclosure: I have been a contributor to both MERI and Ocean State Action. And I would urge you to reach out to your state reps and ask them to support the Handy amendment.