The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings Thursday evening on a bill that would make marriage equality the law of the land in Rhode Island, bringing the state into line with the rest of New England. The hearings lasted until 5:00 am, and many advocates and opponents gave testimony. But the person who stole the show was a sixth-grader.

Matthew Lannon, a 12-year-old who has two moms gave a powerful voice to America's youth in his testimony before the committee, delivering the most clear and concise case for marriage equality you could ask for from anyone, at any age. Here's a snippet:

"If there's one thing you don't mess with in life, it's love. My parents and all the other gay and lesbian people here want to be happy, just like you. All they want is to be treated fairly. But unlike most of you, they have to come again here year after year and explain over and over why their love is equal to yours. This year, you have the opportunity to change that. I say, choose love."

DemocracyNow!:

The Coalition for the Homeless reports the number of people living in New York City homeless shelters has reached an all-time high of 43,000. Critics attribute the spike in homelessness to the Bloomberg administration’s alleged failure to help move homeless families into permanent affordable housing. Housing advocates say the problem was exacerbated by the city’s cancellation of the "Advantage" apartment rental subsidy, with as many as 8,000 former aid recipients now facing eviction. We get a report from Democracy Now!’s Chantal Berman, who interviewed several aid recipients who could soon lose their homes, and speak to Patrick Markee, senior policy analyst at Coalition for the Homeless in New York City

Full transcript below the fold...

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