Tag: Delaware

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Delaware: Final Senate vote for marriage equality next Tuesday

After being approved by a Senate committee this week, Delaware’s marriage equality bill goes before the full Senate on Tuesday.

The Washington Blade reports that seven Senators are in the definite “no” column, and nine Senators in the “yes” column, leaving five votes up in the air:

State Sen. Catherine Cloutier (R-Heatherbrooke) remains undecided. State Sens. Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna,) Bethany Hall-Long (D-Middletown,) Robert Marshall (D-Wilmington) and Robert Venables (D-Laurel) did not return the Blade’s requests for comment. Hall-Long and Marshall voted for the civil unions bill that Gov. Jack Markell signed into law in 2011, while Ennis and Venables opposed it.

So that’s 9 for, 7 against, and 5 undecided.

If you live in Delaware, please pick up the phone and start calling. Let’s make Delaware state number 11.

(via PurpleUnions.com)

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Delaware: Marriage equality bill heads to Senate committee today

The Delaware Senate Executive Committee will hear its marriage equality bill today at 2:30pm at a special session where it’s the only item on the agenda. 
 
While the bill is expected to pass by a 4-2 vote in committee, the proposal faces a tight vote in the full chamber. Last week brought some good news when one state Senator flipped into the “yes” column, but the latest head count shows the bill only squeaking by 11-10 in the full chamber, with three Democrats opposed.
 
The bill passed 23-18 in the Delaware House last Tuesday and Gov. Jack Markell has promised to sign it. 
 
If you live in Delaware: please reach out to your state Senator this morning even if their “yes” vote has already been predicted.
 
(via JMG)

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Delaware state Senator Bushweller supports marriage equality

“As you may know, HB 75 passed the House of Representatives on April 23 and will now come to the Senate for consideration. When the roll is called in the Senate, I will be voting yes. Where I disagree with the opponents of HB 75 is that I believe same sex, civil marriage is not a threat to the family. Rather, it can help strengthen the family.

“As I stated when the General Assembly passed the civil union bill two years ago, to the extent we can encourage longevity, stability and commitment in relationships as described above, marriage and families will benefit. We should be promoting these kinds of relationships, not denying them.” – Delaware Sen. Brian Bushweller, in a letter to his constituents.

Bushweller’s support may push the Senate over into the win column for marriage equality. See the list below of recently projected/stated positions on marriage equality in Delaware.

(via JMG)

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Delaware: State House approves bill to legalize marriage equality

The Delaware state House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by a vote of 23-18.

The measure, introduced less than two weeks ago, and a little more than a year after Delaware first began recognizing same-sex civil unions, was approved by a vote of 23-18 and now heads to the state Senate.

Democratic Gov. Jack Markell has promised to sign the bill if it passes the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.

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Delaware: Marriage equality bill moves ahead

Delaware’s House Administration Committee has passed its marriage equality bill, HB75, by a vote of 4-1. It now goes to the House floor.

Among those testifying was Richard Smith, president of the Delaware chapter of the NAACP. “We believe marriage equality is a civil right,” Smith told lawmakers. Jared and Jordan spoke on behalf of their 2-mom family. “No child should have to fight for their hardworking, dedicated parents to have the same rights as other parents,” Jordan said. Opponents said they oppose the measure because it would force religious groups to marry gay couples.

Gov. Markell has stated he intends to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

State Democrats were clear that the bill does not force any religious organization to perform marriage ceremonies outside of their teachings.

(via JMG)

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Delaware: Marriage equality bill to be filed with state legislature today

A marriage equality bill will be filed with the Delaware state legislature today:

Gov. Jack Markell and Attorney General Beau Biden planned to join lawmakers Thursday in Wilmington to announce the filing of the legislation.

Crafting of the bill has been led by members of the gay rights group Equality Delaware.

Markell has pledged to sign the bill if it passes the General Assembly, where it has the support of Democratic leaders in both chambers.

In 2011, Markell signed a bill authorizing same-sex civil unions in Delaware, effective last year.

Currently, Democrats hold a majority in the state House 26-15; and in the state Senate, Dems outnumber GOP 13-8.

In addition to Gov. Markell, Attorney General Beau Biden, all three members of Congress (U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper; Congressman John Carney) and John Fluharty, (openly gay executive director of the Delaware Republican Party, are among those who support marriage equality in Delaware.

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Delaware: Congressman John Carney supports marriage equality

Delaware’s only Congressman John Carney Jr. (D) came out for marriage equality in a statement on his website yesterday.

Writes Carney: Carney

“I’ve supported Delaware’s journey toward marriage equality because I believe the law should recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples.  As a Catholic and as an elected official, I’ve been dedicated to striking the balance between honoring the religious sacrament of marriage, while allowing same-sex couples to enjoy legal recognition of their committed relationships.

“That’s why — starting as Lieutenant Governor — I supported civil unions, culminating with the passage of Delaware’s civil union law in 2011. And that’s why I support marriage equality in Delaware.

“I continue to respect and support the rights of religious institutions to define marriage in accordance with the tenets of their faith. However, I do not believe it is right for the government to treat couples differently based on their sexual orientation. Marriage equality will ensure that same-sex couples in Delaware receive the same treatment under the law.

“For over a generation, we as a society have honored the truth that separate is not equal. On the surface, this may just sound like a debate about words. But marriage is also symbolic — it gives honor to a lifelong partnership in a way that civil unions do not. This June, I will be married 20 years. I know that marriage is about commitment, love, and mutual respect.

“All Delawareans should have the privilege of participating in this institution.”

A marriage equality bill is expected to be introduced there sometime this year.

(via ThinkProgress)

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Delaware: Sen. Tom Carper supports marriage equality

Yesterday, I posted that Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) was the only true “blue state” US Senator who had not come out for marriage equality. And now, he has. From his Facebook page:

As our society has changed and evolved, so too has the public’s opinion on gay marriage – and so has mine. I pray every day for God to grant me the wisdom to do what is right. Through my prayers and conversations with my family and countless friends and Delawareans, I’ve been reminded of the power of one of my core values: the Golden Rule. It calls on us to treat others as we want to be treated. That means, to me, that all Americans ultimately should be free to marry the people they love and intend to share their lives with, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that’s why today, after a great deal of soul searching, I’m endorsing marriage equality.

Carper joins a list of Democratic Senators who have come out for marriage equality in the last week.

Only seven remain who haven’t declared their support.

They are: Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Mark Pryor, (D-AR).

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Delaware: Atty General Beau Biden supports marriage equality

Beau Biden, Delaware Attorney General and son of VP Joe Biden, speaks out for marriage equality in a new video:

“All Delawareans should be able to marry the person they love, the person who they want to spend their life with. The freedom to marry is the fundamental, defining civil rights issue of our time.”