RI gov. vetoes funeral-planning rights for gays

Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri vetoed a bill Nov. 10 that would allow gays and lesbians to plan the funerals of their deceased partners.

"This bill represents a disturbing trend over the past few years of the incremental erosion of the principles surrounding traditional marriage, which is not the preferred way to approach this issue," Carcieri said.

The bill would have also allowed the release of the bodies of gays and lesbians to their surviving partners.

Chances are, however, that Democrats in the Rhode Island legislature -- who hold a veto proof majority -- will overturn Carcieri's decision.

"I think [Carcieri] is heartless and this has become a bad joke that has carried on for far too long," Democrat Rep. David Segal told the Providence Journal.