The departure from office next January of Governor Carcieri may change the outlook for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, as demonstrated by an event this week at the State House rotunda:

Rhode Island gubernatorial candidates from across the political spectrum will pledge their support for marriage equality at a rally convened by Marriage Equality Rhode Island [at 4 pm] on March 3, 2010.

As expected, the January 2011 departure of Governor Carcieri -- and Gordon Fox's anticipated move this week into the speakership -- will change the dynamic around long-stalled gay marriage legislation in Rhode Island. Here's further evidence, via Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD):

Gov. Donald Carcieri's veto of legislation that would have allowed gay couples to make funeral arrangements has drawn sharp criticism from gay rights advocates and almost every Democratic state office holder.

Even with Gordon Fox, an openly gay man, having a strong shot at the speakership, gay marriage has been going nowhere fast in Rhode Island. And the overturning of gay marriage yesterday by Maine voters may lead more local legislators to conclude that public opinion remains heavier on the anti-same sex marriage side.

Governor Donald Carcieri will be the first speaker at tonight's annual Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council dinner in Providence, but he won't be hanging around for the meal.

Instead, Carcieri will bolt from the RIPEC dinner to be the keynote speaker at the Massachusetts Family Institute's Annual Fundraising Banquet. The Massachusetts Family Institute is a group that lobbies against gay rights and gay marriage.

From the RI Democratic Party:

PAWTUCKET - Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch will participate in a panel discussion tomorrow focusing on the future of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

A Monday story about State House security, by the ProJo's Steve Peoples, contained this bit of seemingly random information (emphasis added in bold), about what had been reported as a March 22 break-in at the office of House Majority Leader Gordon Fox:

Authorities were called to the scene shortly after employees arrived for work that Monday morning. They discovered someone had “thrown items such as papers, books and binders on the office floor,” according to a police narrative. They also noticed that a New York Yankees jersey had been thrown on Fox’s desk and a hair band was left on a couch.

Some readers might wonder if boisterous New York fans were trying to send a message to the legislative leader.

In fact, Fox has divided baseball loyalties -- a situation, as I wrote here -- that offers insight into his political persona:

Bishop Tobin is blaming apathy among Roman Catholics for the progress of gay marriage initiatives.