Same-sex marriage in Delaware

Part of the LGBTQ rights series
Marriage

Recognized

Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage
Minimal recognition
See also
Notes
  1. ^ a b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
  2. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
  3. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
  4. ^ a b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
  5. ^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
  6. ^ a b c d e The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
  7. ^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
  8. ^ Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.
  9. ^ Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
  10. ^ Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
  11. ^ Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
  12. ^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
  13. ^ Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.
  1. ^ a b Not yet in effect.
LGBTQ portal

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Delaware since July 1, 2013. Governor Jack Markell signed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage on May 7, 2013, just hours after its passage in the Delaware House of Representatives and Senate. Delaware was the eleventh U.S. state,[a] and the twelfth U.S. jurisdiction (after the District of Columbia), to allow same-sex couples to marry, preceding Minnesota and Rhode Island by one month.

Delaware previously extended recognition to same-sex relationships in the form of civil unions, which granted same-sex couples the "rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities" of married spouses. Civil unions became available in Delaware on January 1, 2012, following the enactment of legislation signed by Governor Markell on May 11, 2011.

Civil unions

In March 2011, senators David Sokola and Melanie George Smith introduced a bill to allow civil unions to the Delaware General Assembly.[1] It passed the Senate Administrative Services Committee on March 31,[2] and the full Senate by a vote of 13–6 on April 7, 2011.[3] It passed the House of Representatives in a 26–15 vote on April 14.[4] Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law on May 11, 2011, and it took effect on January 1, 2012.[5] At the signing, he said:[6]

"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, your love is equally valid and deserving, your family is now equal under the law."

Delaware civil unions provided the "rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities" of marriage under a different name.[7] Approximately 565 civil union licenses were issued in 2012, with 250 of these being issued in Sussex County, 235 in New Castle County, and 80 in Kent County.[8]

The ability to enter into civil unions was closed off on July 1, 2013, and all civil unions were converted to marriages by July 1, 2014.[9]

Same-sex marriage

In March 2012, Governor Jack Markell said he thought that the legalization of same-sex marriage in Delaware was "inevitable" and would be passed "probably within the next few years".[10] In September 2012, Representative Peter Schwartzkopf, who became House Speaker in January 2013, said he expected the General Assembly to vote on same-sex marriage in 2013 and that he would support it, but was uncertain of the legislation's prospects.[11] On February 1, 2013, in anticipation of legislative activity, Francis Malooly, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wilmington, authored a letter to parishioners stating that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman that must be "cherished and defended".[12]

In April 2013, a bill was introduced to legalize same-sex marriage while eliminating civil unions and converting them to marriages by July 2014 if not dissolved earlier. Malooly wrote a letter to legislators on April 15 that said that marriage is not "just about love and commitment between two people" as many think but "it is also about the unique expression of love that only and man and woman as husband and wife can give to each other", that marriage is not a "label" but a "communion" that "is impossible without the sexual difference".[13] The Delaware House Administration Committee advanced the bill to the full House on April 18.[14] Governor Markell said he would sign it if it passed.[15] It passed the House on April 23 on a 23–18 vote.[16] The Senate Executive Committee approved the legislation on May 1, and it passed the Senate on May 7 on a 12–9 vote.[17] Markell signed the bill outside the Assembly building within an hour of the vote.[18][19][20]

April 23, 2013 vote in the Delaware House of Representatives
Political affiliation Voted for Voted against Absent (Did not vote)
  Democratic Party
22
5
 –
  Republican Party
1
13
 –
Total 23 18 0
56.1% 43.9% 0.0%
May 7, 2013 vote in the Delaware Senate
Political affiliation Voted for Voted against Absent (Did not vote)
  Democratic Party
11
2
 –
  Republican Party
1
7
 –
Total 12 9 0
57.1% 42.9% 0.0%

The legislation was titled An act to amend Title 13 of the Delaware code relating to domestic relations to provide for same-gender civil marriage and to convert existing civil unions to civil marriages.[21] It also gave Delaware courts authority over divorce proceedings in the case of a same-sex couple married in Delaware who resided in a state that would not grant them a divorce because it did not recognize their marriage. Since June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage is legal throughout the United States, rendering this provision moot.[22] The bill added the following section to the state's marriage statute:[23]

All laws of this State applicable to marriage or married spouses or the children of married spouses, whether derived from statutes, administrative rules or regulations, court rules, governmental policies, common law, court decisions, or any other provisions or sources of law, including in equity, shall apply equally to same-gender and different-gender married couples and their children. [Del. Code tit. 13 § 129]

State Senator Karen Peterson came out as lesbian during the debate on May 7, becoming the state's first-ever openly LGBTQ legislator.[24] When the statute took effect on July 1, Peterson and her partner were the first same-sex couple to legally convert their civil union into a marriage.[25] The first same-sex couple to marry were Joseph Daigle and Dan Cole, in a semi-public ceremony attended by hundreds and officiated by New Castle County Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden on July 1, 2013, in the Marian Cruger Coffin Gardens at Gibraltar Mansion in Wilmington. Opening remarks for the first marriage were provided by Attorney General Beau Biden, an invocation was provided by Rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church Pat Downing, and a reading was performed by poet Devon Miller-Duggan. Daigle and Cole were activists heavily involved in the process of passage, and Cole worked on writing and implementing the law.[26][27]

Subsequent developments

A bill removing "homosexuality" and "lesbianism" from the definition of misconduct which may be used as grounds for a divorce was introduced to the Delaware General Assembly on March 13, 2016.[28] The bill passed the House on May 10 in a 36–4 vote,[29] and the Senate on June 9 in a unanimous 21–0 vote. Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law on June 28.[30]

Demographics and marriage statistics

2,092 marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. In Sussex County and Kent County, around 37% and 10% of marriage licenses were granted to same-sex couples, respectively. Same-sex marriages made up around 26% of all marriages statewide.[31] The high percentage is mostly attributed to the fact that same-sex marriages could not be legally performed in the neighbouring states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The 2020 U.S. census showed that there were 3,194 married same-sex couple households (1,428 male couples and 1,766 female couples) and 1,679 unmarried same-sex couple households in Delaware.[32]

Public opinion

Public opinion for same-sex marriage in Delaware
Poll source Dates administered Sample size Margin of error Support Opposition Do not know / refused
Public Religion Research Institute March 9 – December 7, 2023 169 adults ? 62% 35% 3%
Public Religion Research Institute March 11 – December 14, 2022 ? ? 69% 29% 2%
Public Religion Research Institute March 8 – November 9, 2021 ? ? 66% 32% 2%
Public Religion Research Institute January 7 – December 20, 2020 192 adults ? 60% 29% 11%
Public Religion Research Institute April 5 – December 23, 2017 219 adults ? 58% 27% 15%
Public Religion Research Institute May 18, 2016 – January 10, 2017 302 adults ? 62% 25% 13%
Public Religion Research Institute April 29, 2015 – January 7, 2016 239 adults ? 66% 25% 9%
Public Religion Research Institute April 2, 2014 – January 4, 2015 157 adults ? 57% 31% 12%
New York Times/CBS News/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 471 likely voters ± 5.2% 54% 31% 15%
Global Strategy Group February 12–14, 2014 603 likely voters ± 4.0% 54% 37% 9%
Public Policy Polling January 26–28, 2011 605 registered voters ± 4.0% 48% 47% 5%

See also

Notes

  1. ^ After Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Maine, Maryland and California

References

  1. ^ Miller, Beth (March 23, 2011). "Delaware government: Civil unions bill filed in Dover". News Journal. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  2. ^ Beth Miller (March 31, 2011). "Delaware civil unions bill clears committee". The News Journal.
  3. ^ Chibbaro Jr., Lou (April 7, 2011). "Delaware Senate passes civil unions bill". Washington Blade.
  4. ^ Miller, Beth (April 14, 2011). "Delaware adopts civil unions bill". The News Journal.
  5. ^ Miller, Beth (May 12, 2011). "Governor signs Delaware civil unions bill". USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  6. ^ Mucha, Peter (May 12, 2013). "Same-sex unions legalized in Delaware". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  7. ^ Senate Bill 30, "An Act to Amend Title 13 of the Delaware Code Relating to Civil Unions, General Assembly of Delaware, accessed December 4, 2011.
  8. ^ "Number of civil unions 'exceeded expectations'". Delaware Newszap. December 30, 2012. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  9. ^ Ramseyer, Laurel (May 7, 2013). "Delaware Becomes Eleventh State to Legalize Marriage Equality [Updated]". Pam's House Blend. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  10. ^ "Delaware governor says gay marriage is "inevitable" in his state". Reuters. March 2, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  11. ^ Starkey, Jonathan (September 26, 2012). "Schwartzkopf: gay marriage a "no-brainer"". DelawareOnline. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  12. ^ Ford, Zack (February 4, 2013). "Delaware Bishop Attacks Marriage Equality: 'Unrestrained Romanticism Damages Marriage'". Think Progress.
  13. ^ "Marriage is not for government to 'define or redefine,' says bishop". The Catholic Sun. April 17, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  14. ^ "Bill authorizing same-sex marriage in Delaware clears committee, headed to House floor". Washington Post. April 17, 2013. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  15. ^ "Gov. Markell tells activists he would sign marriage equality bill". Delaware Online. April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  16. ^ Dawson, James (April 23, 2013). "Same-sex marriage bill clears state House". WDDE. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  17. ^ Ford, Zack (May 7, 2013). "BREAKING: Delaware To Become 11th State With Marriage Equality". Think Progress. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  18. ^ "Delaware, Continuing a Trend, Becomes the 11th State to Allow Same-Sex Unions". The New York Times. May 7, 2013.
  19. ^ Chase, Randall (May 7, 2013). "Delaware to Become 11th State With Gay Marriage". ABC News. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  20. ^ Byrne, Tom (May 7, 2013). "Delaware becomes 11th state to approve same-sex marriage". WDDE. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  21. ^ "147th General Assembly, House Bill #75". State of Delaware Official Website.
  22. ^ § 1504. Jurisdiction; residence;procedure, accessed May 12, 2013
  23. ^ TITLE 13 Domestic Relations CHAPTER 1. MARRIAGE
  24. ^ "Karen Peterson, Delaware State Senator, Comes Out During Gay Marriage Debate". Huffington Post, May 7, 2013.
  25. ^ "Delaware among leaders as nation changes course on gay marriage". Wilmington News Journal. July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  26. ^ O'Malley, Shana (July 2, 2013). "Delaware grooms celebrate first same-sex wedding". WHYY. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  27. ^ Quinones, Todd (July 2, 2013). "Delaware Sees First Same-Sex Marriage Ceremony". CBS Philadelphia. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  28. ^ "Lawmakers to Decide if Homosexuality Is Grounds for Divorce in Delaware". NBC10 Philadelphia. May 10, 2016.
  29. ^ "Delaware considers homosexuality as grounds for divorce". Marilyn Stowe Family Law. May 11, 2016.
  30. ^ DE HB320 | 2015-2016 | 148th General Assembly
  31. ^ Fisher, James (July 14, 2014). "Delaware's gay marriage boom may ebb". The News Journal.
  32. ^ "PCT1405 Couple Households, By Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2023.

Read other articles:

Габріель Коямбуну

Габріель КоямбунуНародився 1947Бангі, Убангі-Шарі, Французька Екваторіальна АфрикаКраїна  ЦАРДіяльність політикЗнання мов французька і сангоПосада Prime Minister of the Central African RepublicdПартія Movement for the Liberation of the Central African Peopled Габріель Жан-Едуард Коямбуну (1947, Бангі[1]) —...

 

Jeep Renegade (prototipo)

Jeep Renegade Datos generalesEmpresa matriz Chrysler LLCFabricante JeepPeríodo 2008ConfiguraciónTipo TodoterrenoSegmento BCarrocerías Roadster[editar datos en Wikidata] El Jeep Renegade es un prototipo de automóvil todoterreno híbrido con carrocería tipo roadster presentado en enero de 2008 por la empresa automovilística estadounidense Jeep[1]​ durante el Salón del Automóvil de Detroit. Diseñado como escaparate de tecnologías verdes, nunca llegó a ser llevado a pro...

 

Little Minnesota

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (December 2015) This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and maki...

François Fournier-Sarlovèze

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (January 2012) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the French article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipe...

 

Gun law in Pakistan

Laws concerning firearm usage in Pakistan Gun laws in Pakistan allow for the ownership of firearms in the country by the general population. Pakistan is one of the biggest open firearms markets in the world,[1] and is in the modern era also known for its indigenous gunsmith tradition. The country is famous for producing clones of almost every notable weapon of the world.[2] Although firearms are widely owned, heavy weaponry is permitted only in tribal areas within the province...

 

Mecze reprezentacji Polski U-21 w piłce nożnej mężczyzn prowadzonej przez Marcina Dornę

Zestawienie spotkań reprezentacji Polski pod wodzą Marcina Dornę. Oficjalne międzynarodowe spotkania Legenda: zwycięstwo remis porażka Nr Przeciwnik Miejsce Data Impreza Wynik(Polska – przeciwnik) Przypisy 1 Litwa U-21 Siedlce 23 marca 2013 mecz towarzyski 3:0 [1][2] 2 Łotwa U-21 Legionowo 26 marca 2013 mecz towarzyski 4:1 [3][4] 3 Malta U-21 Kraków 6 czerwca 2013 elim. EURO U-21 2015 2:0 [5][6] 4 Norwegia U-21 Fredrikstad 10 czerwca 2013 mecz towarzyski 2:4 [7][8] 5 Turcja U-21 War...

Rich Wigga, Poor Wigga

9th episode of the 3rd season of Atlanta Rich Wigga, Poor WiggaAtlanta episodeEpisode no.Season 3Episode 9Directed byDonald GloverWritten byDonald GloverProduced by Donald Glover Paul Simms Dianne McGunigle Stephen Glover Hiro Murai Stefani Robinson Featured music Escape Plan by Travis Scott Hangin' on a String (Contemplating) by Loose Ends Cinematography byStephen MurphyEditing by Isaac Hagy Kyle Reiter Production codeXAA03010Original air dateMay 12, 2022 (2022-05-12)Runn...

 

Heute (Fernsehsendung)

Fernsehsendung Titel heute Produktionsland Deutschland Originalsprache Deutsch Genre Nachrichten Erscheinungsjahre seit 1963 Länge 20 Minuten Ausstrahlungs-turnus täglich um 12:00 Uhr, 17:00 Uhr und 19:00 Uhr Produktions-unternehmen ZDF Premiere 1. Apr. 1963 auf ZDF Moderation Hauptausgabe: Barbara Hahlweg (seit 2007) Jana Pareigis (seit 2021) Mitri Sirin (seit 2021) Das ZDF-Nachrichtenstudio in Mainz-Lerchenberg heute ist eine Nachrichtensendung des Zweiten Deutschen Fernsehens (...

 

ITO metro station

Metro station in Delhi, India Not to be confused with Itō Station. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: ITO metro station – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) ITO – Income Tax Office Delhi Metro stationGeneral information...

History of Ladakh

Aspect of history This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: History of Ladakh – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) A map of the disputed Kashmir region showing the Indian-administered territory of Ladakh Hemis Monastery in the 1...

 

Uspallata Pass

Uspallata Pass The Uspallata Pass, Bermejo Pass or Cumbre Pass, is an Andean pass which provides a route between the wine-growing region around the Argentine city of Mendoza, the Chilean city Los Andes and Santiago, the Chilean capital situated in the central Chilean valley. Overview The pass has been used since colonial times as the most direct link between the Pacific seaport of Valparaiso and the Atlantic port of Buenos Aires, avoiding the 11-day, 5,630 km (3,498 mi) journey by s...

 

St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve

The St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve is a collection of Sea Islands totaling 10,301 acres (41.69 km2) of upland and wetland property located along the Saint Helena Sound in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. Owned and managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), the preserve is also considered to be a designated Wildlife Management Area and a portion of the ACE Basin area. Listed below are properties that consist of the preserve: Otter Island (1,899 acre...

Butterfly (upcoming film)

2019 film directed by Ramesh Aravind Not to be confused with Butterflies (2018 film). ButterflyPosterDirected byRamesh AravindWritten byMamta SagarScreenplay byRamesh AravindStory byVikas BahlBased onQueen (2014)by Vikas BahlProduced byManu KumaranStarringParul YadavCinematographySatya HegdeEdited bySatchit PuranikManu KumaranMusic byAmit TrivediProductioncompaniesMediente International Films LtdLiger Commercial BrokersCountryIndiaLanguageKannada Butterfly is an upcoming Indian Kannada-langua...

 

Shughni language

Pamir language of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and China ShughniShugnani-Rushanixuǧnůn ziv/хуг̌ну̊н зив, pomiray/помирай зив/خُغنُوْن زِڤNative toTajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, ChinaEthnicityShughnanNative speakers(50,000 Shughni proper, ca. 75,000 all varieties cited 1990)[1]Language familyIndo-European Indo-IranianIranianEastern IranianShugni–YazgulamiShughnaniShughniDialects Shughni proper Rushani dialect Oroshori dialect Khufi dial...

 

The Real Cancun

2003 American filmThe Real CancunTheatrical release posterDirected byRick de OliveiraWritten byBrian CaldirolaProduced by Mary-Ellis Bunim Jonathan Murray Starringsee belowEdited by James Gavin Bedford Joe Shugart Eric Spagnoletti Dave Stanke Dan Zimmerman Music byMichael SubyProductioncompanies FilmEngine Bunim/Murray Productions Distributed byNew Line CinemaRelease date April 25, 2003 (2003-04-25) Running time96 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget$7.5 million[...

Macau independence

Political movement advocating for Macau's independence from China Flag of Portuguese Macao Flag of the Macao SAR, used since 1999 Macau independence (Chinese: 澳門獨立, Portuguese: Independência de Macau) is the political movement that advocates for the independence of Macau from China. Despite receiving little attention within Macau, the issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly of Macau following the Hong Kong Legislative Council oath-taking controversy. In 2017, several Chinese...

 

Depth of field

Distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that are in focus in an image For other uses, see Depth of field (disambiguation). A macro photograph showing the defocused effect of a shallow depth of field on a tilted page of text. This photo was taken with an aperture of f/22, creating a mostly in-focus background. The same scene as above with an aperture of f/1.8. Notice how much blurrier the background appears in this photo. The depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the neare...

 

Renmin South station

Metro station in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China Renmin South人民南General informationLocationLuohu District, Shenzhen, GuangdongChinaOperated bySZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group)Line(s)     Line 9Platforms2 (1 island platform)Tracks2Connections     Line 1 (Luohu) Shenzhen     East Rail line (Lo Wu)HistoryOpened28 October 2016; 7 years ago (2016-10-28)Services Preceding station Shenzhen Metro Followin...

Steirische Harmonika

Die Steirische Harmonika ist ein diatonisches, wechseltöniges Handzuginstrument mit Knopf-Tastatur. Die Steirische Harmonika wird in der Volksmusik in Bayern, Österreich, Südtirol, Tschechien, Slowenien und in etlichen weiteren Ländern verwendet. Das Wort „steirisch“ hat nur wenig mit dem Land Steiermark zu tun. Diese Bauart des Akkordeons wurde in Wien erfunden. Der Unterschied zu anderen diatonischen Akkordeons besteht in der Verwendung der stark klingenden Helikonbässe und dem Gle...

 

Avenida José Antonio Páez (Caracas)

Avenida Páez  Caracas,  VenezuelaDatos de la rutaIdentificador   Tipo Avenida[editar datos en Wikidata] El General Páez Avenida Páez[1]​ o más formalmente avenida José Antonio Páez[2]​ es el nombre que recibe una arterial vial localizada en el oeste del área metropolitana de Caracas[3]​[4]​ concretamente en el Municipio Libertador al centro norte del país sudamericano de Venezuela.[5]​[6]​ Debe su nombre a un próc...

 

Strategi Solo vs Squad di Free Fire: Cara Menang Mudah!