Delaware becomes 11th marriage equality state

The Delaware Senate today passed legislation granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry. The bill already cleared the House and now shifts to Gov. Jack Markell, who has vowed to sign it. Delaware is poised to join 10 other states plus the District of Columbia in legalizing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Just last week, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed that state’s marriage equality bill into law.

UPDATE: Shortly after the bill’s passage Gov. Jack Markell signed it into law.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

The momentum for the freedom to marry continues to roll on. We are thrilled for the loving, committed same-sex couples and families in Delaware who will soon be able to join in the celebration and responsibilities of marriage without having to cross state lines to Maryland. We offer a hearty congrats to them, to Equality Delaware and to everyone working so hard to secure marriage equality for all Delawareans. The transformative nature of people talking about their love and their lives is clear, as we see with this victory today, and in the fact that a clear and ever-growing majority of Americans supports marriage equality.