PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Senate is debating the marriage-equality bill at 4 pm EDT/1 pm PDT today.

To watch the live debate and vote, click HERE. THE SITE HAS CRASHED! Click HERE for coverage by WPRI-TV.

The Senate’s president, Teresa Paiva Weed, a Democrat who opposes same-sex marriage, is allowing her colleagues to vote on S38, the marriage-equality bill.

DOVER, Dela. – The House voted 23-18 today to approve a marriage-equality bill.

The bill, HB 75, will be considered next by the state Senate. Both the Senate and the House are controlled by Democrats. Gov. Jack Markell, a Democrat, proposed the bill and promised to sign it into law if passed.

Gay-rights advocates and allies are optimistic that there are enough votes for passage.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Judiciary Committee of the Rhode Island Senate voted 7-4 today to pass a marriage-equality bill.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote, most likely later this week.

The vote in the full Senate remains too close to call. Activists are encourage to make phone calls or sent emails to senators who are on the fence.

The Rhode Island House approved the marriage-equality bill during a debate and vote on Jan. 24, 2013.

PARIS – Vive la France! The National Assembly voted 331-225 today to legalize marriage equality in France.

The final vote brings to an end months of contentious debate and street protests from conservatives and religious factions, led by the Roman Catholic Church, that oppose same-sex marriage. The emotions were very high today in the National Assembly, and at one point several people were seen shoving each other in the gallery.

The passage of the bill brought out loud applause and cheers from the 331 lawmakers who voted for marriage equality.