Tiny State of Delaware Takes Big Move

Gay Couples Can Marry July 1

On May 7, 2013, Delaware’s Senate voted,,12 to 9, to make Delaware the 11th state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.   Governor Jack Markell, calling it “a great day in Delaware,” signed the measure into law. It was introduced in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

The bill won passage two weeks ago in the state House with a 23-18 vote.  Approximately a year ago, the state recognized same-sex civil unions. The new bill does not give same-sex couples any more rights or benefits under Delaware law than they currently have with civil unions, but it does give them deserved respect.

Polls Show that Majority of Americans Support Gay Marriage

“The momentum continues,” said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, an advocacy group in New York that aided the Delaware campaign.  Last week, Rhode Island adopted same-sex marriage.  Last fall there were ballot-box victories in Washington, Maryland, and Maine. In eight other states, now including Delaware, and the District of Columbia, it has been adopted by legislatures or required by court decisions.

House members are expected to consider same-sex marriage in Minnesota this week.  In Illinois, the Senate has approved a bill, but the House has not scheduled it.

Opponents of Same-Sex Marriage

Many religious leaders in Delaware are opposed to same-sex marriage.

Greg Lavelle, the minority whip and a Republican, said prior to the Delaware vote, “we won’t fully understand the impact of the legislation for years to come.  It was strange to have to defend traditional marriage that we have known for thousands of years.”

Despite the fact that all of the New England States now have same-sex marriage on the books, there are still thirty states that have adopted constitutional amendments limiting marriage to a man and a woman.  Only public ballots can reverse these measures.  Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, which aids in financing opposition to gay marriage, says he is not discouraged by the recent victories in New England.  “The states that have passed same-sex marriage are deep-blue liberal states.”

Opponents and supporters for gay marriage will be eager to learn of the Supreme Court decisions in June.  The court will decide in one case if the federal government should recognize same-sex marriage in states where it is legal.  The other case will decide California’s Proposition 8 which banned same-sex marriage in that state after a court had declared it a legal right.