Delaware Governor Jack Markell will sign a civil unions bill into law on Wednesday, May 11.
Markell will sign the landmark legislation approved by lawmakers last month at the World Cafe Live at the Queen located on Market Street in Wilmington. A representative from the venue said a room had yet to be assigned for the signing ceremony but its most likely space accommodates 150 people and larger rooms are also available. The ceremony begins at 6PM.
Delaware lawmakers made quick work of the bill, going from introduction to passage in the Legislature in just over 3 weeks. By contrast, similar recent victories in Hawaii and Illinois took years to accomplish. And New Jersey adopted civil unions only after a mandate from the state’s highest court.
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Activists, lobbyists and citizens this week have been pressing for at least one of six Republican members of the state House Judiciary Committee to vote in favor of sending Pat Steadman’s same-sex civil unions bill to the House floor for debate. On Tuesday, the House Democratic caucus officially joined the campaign.
Rick Moore of Milton has a gold band wrapped around the ring finger of his left hand. It matches the ring Nick Gurnas wears. To Moore and Gurnas, who were married in Washington, D.C., last April, the gold bands signify their 2010 vow of marriage and the lifetime commitment they made to each other eight years ago. Under the Delaware Code, the bands mean nothing — unless they say it does. A gay or lesbian Delaware couple that claims to be married can be hit with a $100 fine or put in jail for 30 days.
The Colorado Senate on Thursday approved a civil unions bill that would allow same-sex couples the right to inherit property, apply for family leave and share medical decisions. The bill, approved 23-12, now goes to the House.
In an initial voice-vote, the Colorado State Senate approved a bill that would establish civil unions on Monday. Senate Bill 172, introduced by openly gay Sen. Pat Steadman (pictured), would create civil unions which offer most of the rights and benefits given to married Colorado couples. The bill will face a final vote in the Senate later this week, after which it will be sent to the House, where Republicans have a one-seat majority. If SB-172 passes the House, it will arrive on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk, where he is expected to sign it.
