- Gov. Jack Markell signs Civil Unions bill into law at World Café Live at the Queen in Wilmington.
A lively crowd of nearly 600 people helped to usher in the era of same-sex civil unions in Delaware, as Governor Jack Markell (D) took the stage at the recently-opened World Café Live at the Queen in Wilmington to sign the legislation into law, less than a month after it was given final approval in the General Assembly.
Repeated standing ovations greeted the Governor and key legislators who were instrumental in getting the bill passed.
“Tonight with the signing of this law we say to any Delawarean regardless of sexual orientation: if you have committed yourself to somebody, and you’ve made that pledge to spend your life together in partnership, when life or death decisions come we honor your right to make those decisions together,” Governor Markell said. “Your love is equally valid and deserving. Your family is now equal under the law.”
Eve Davis of Wilmington, the mother of triplets, celebrated the occasion.
“My partner and I to get the triplets had to go through so many hoops and so many legal issues because we weren’t covered, we weren’t treated equally,” Davis said. “It’s positive all the way around as far as protecting our families, and protecting our assets — also, showing our family that we’re just as normal as everybody else.”
“I’m really proud that Delaware stepped forward to become one of the few states to have done this,” John Peterson of Newark said. “It’s very important to have rights you can actually defend in court.”
“I’ve never been prouder to be a Delawarean,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. The organization works “to ensure and promote dignity, safety and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Delawareans.”
Civil Unions Bill becomes law in Delaware
Governor Jack Markell explains why he believes the law to legalize same-sex civil unions is a big step toward “freedom, equality and opportunity.”
Governor Jack Markell offered a message to the children of same-sex couples as he signed the civil unions.
Lisa Goodman, President of Equality Delaware says although same sex civil unions will be legal, there’s more work to do in terms of education.
Eve Davis of Wilmington discusses why it was important to her for same-sex civil unions to become legal in Delaware.
The legislation passed both houses of the General Assembly earlier this session. Goodman said a lot came together this year to make it possible: what she called “friendly leadership” in both houses, the lack of an election this year, and the familiarity supporters of the cause gained in Dover over the years.
“The time is just right,” Goodman said. She read the name of each legislator who supported the measure, calling it an “honor roll.” Senator David Sokola (D-Newark) and Representative Melanie George (D- Bear/Newark) received the loudest cheers for taking the lead in sponsoring the measure in their respective chambers.
Although Delaware is now the eighth state to legalize same-sex civil unions, Goodman said the work is not over. Between now and when the law takes effect January 1st 2012, Goodman said there will be extensive efforts to educate the public about the law and its implications.
New Castle County Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden said his office will be involved in that effort to make sure everyone knows what the law is and what is expected. The fee for a civil union license will be $50, the same as for a marriage license.
Boulden said he’s “got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it.” Computer programs and the licensing procedure need to be revised, in coordination with the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
“We’re going to be ready, and it’s going to be an historic year,” Boulden said.
It wasn’t just about the happy couples in the room, according to Governor Markell.
As children of gay and lesbian couples joined him for the bill-signing, the Governor also had a message for them: “we say to you, it doesn’t matter if your parents are gay or straight. The people you love and look up to and who are dedicating their love and their lives to raising you… those…are…your…parents.”
Shortly after that the champagne flowed, and the party continued.
