PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an Independent, signed the newly-passed marriage-equality bill into law today, as Rhode Island becomes the final New England state to legalize same-sex marriage.

The Providence Gay Men's Chorus serenaded the audience before the signing ceremony, held on the South Steps of the historic state House. Several gay lawmakers poured out their thanks for everyone who came together to pass the bill.

Hundreds of supporters cheered and hugged each other after Gov. Chafee took his pen and signed the bill in a formal ceremony.

Justices in the Brazilian states of Rondônia, Paraíba and Santa Catarina have ruled to authorize marriage equality for same-sex couples, bringing the total to 14 of the country’s 27 states to legalize same-sex marriage.

The ruling by the Corregedor Geral de Justiça caps a month where five state justices in Brazil ruled in favor of same-sex marriage.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- An anti-gay organization that held a recent workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in Ethiopia is reporting that the death penalty against gay people in Ethiopia may be on the horizon.

The workshop reportedly looked with the social "evils" and "disastrous" effects of homosexuality in Ethiopia, and was led by United for Life Ethiopia, a Western Evangelical Christian organization with local representation.

PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. State Department has lifted its travel ban on Mariela Castro and authorized her to visit Philadelphia to participate in Equality Forum 2013, a national and international LGBT civil rights summit with Cuba as the featured nation.

Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, accepted being a panelist on the Cuba: Featured Nation Panel and being the recipient of the International Ally for LGBT Equality Award at the International Equality Dinner at Equality Forum 2013.