Kelly Wroblewski lives in Austin, Texas, with her partner of 10 years, Kristina Lestik. Both women are high school teachers in their early 30s, have pets and wear promise rings to show their commitment.

Austin has been a comfortable place for them to live. The city council endorsed marriage equality in 2012 and extended benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.

But that’s a far cry from the full federal rights, benefits and recognition that same-sex couples living in other states stand to gain if the Supreme Court strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act later this year.

The Community of Christ — an offshoot of the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints — voted this week by more than the requisite majority to begin performing marriage ceremonies for lesbian and gay couples in states where it is legal. In states that have yet to establish marriage equality, the Community of Christ will offer commitment ceremonies to recognize the validity and importance of LGBT love.

A federal appeals judge found this week in a bias complaint that federal and Oregon bans on same-sex marriages violate the U.S. Constitution.

Harry Pregerson, a judge with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, made the declarations in deciding that the federal government had discriminated against Portland lawyer Alison "Tex" Clark based on her sexual orientation.

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.