MERI also used the rally as an opportunity to present the results of a survey of Rhode Island voters. Patrick Crowley, a MERI Education Fund board member, presented the results of the poll, which recorded 49 percent of the electorate in favor of same-sex marriage, while just 37 percent opposed to it.

Even among Catholic voters, Crowley said, 45 percent are in favor of gay marriage and only 37 percent are opposed.