Rhode Island State Law Rhode Island recognizes same-sex relationships under state law as follows: Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage is legal in Rhode Island. lf two persons have a legal union other than a marriage that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a marriage and the union was validly entered into in another jurisdiction (and the union is not otherwise prohibited under Rhode Island law), those persons will be afforded the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a valid marriage in Rhode Island. Click here for more information. Civil Unions Rhode Island's same-sex marriage statute repeals certain provisions concerning civil unions and provides certain procedures for the merger of civil unions into marriages. Click here for more information.