Posted on 04/16/2011 4:45:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Delaware will be the eighth state to allow civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
The state House of Representatives voted 26 to 15 Thursday night in favor of the measure. Governor Jack Markell, who has been a gay rights advocate throughout his public service career, has said he will sign the civil union bill, which gives gay couples the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as heterosexual married couples. The Senate passed the bill last week.
"We are tremendously proud that the Delaware House has passed civil union legislation," said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. "The fact that the Delaware General Assembly passed civil union legislation on the first attempt is a great testament to how far public opinion has come on equality issues. This is a great day for equality in Delaware."
Gay couples in Delaware will not be allowed to obtain marriage licenses. But the delmarvanow.com newspaper, owned by Gannett, noted that the bill, SB 30, was “written to parallel Delaware’s marriage code” and that opponents of the legislation believe it will be used to push for gay marriage.
"You have created a new civil right, but you've done it at the expense of the institution of marriage, at the expense of children and at the expense of taxpayers who have no clue what they're buying," said Doug Napier, an attorney with the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defense Fund, according to delmarvanow.com.
"A vote for civil unions is a vote against marriage in Delaware. And that will be your voting record,” he said, speaking to House lawmakers.
SB 30 does, however, give religious institutions the right to refuse to perform same-sex union ceremonies.
Delaware’s civil union law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012. States that allow civil unions for same-sex couples include California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington, according to the Human Rights Campaign. And earlier this year, Hawaii and Illinois passed civil union laws that will take effect in June 2011 and Jan 2012, respectively.
There are none.
They've been hiding something from the public!
PING
When personal responsibility, traditional values, and immorality take over, it's the end of the American Dream.
I’m from Delaware. They don’t get much of the attention nationally anyways. They’re a small state.
But if you were being sarcastic, the humor is appreciated.
The following places/states in the USA have recognize3d same sex relations : CT, DC, IA, MA, NH, VT... and now Delaware.
Living in NY, I have a feeling that it is only a matter of time since its next door neighbor (CT) already started the ball rolling and I don’t see much opposition against the idea in our legislature and even among the electorate.
The NORTHEAST will probably lead on this one with 5 states already falling....
May God have mercy on this country.
Now what will the good legislators in Delaware have to do next year for their vote?
CT and now Delaware... can the neighboring states of NY, NJ and PA be far behind?
Sex deviates were the end of the Roman Empire....sex deviates are bringing an end to the USA.
They’re an outward symptom far more than a cause. The massive welfare spike, the illegitimate birth spike, the debt/foreclosure spike, and more amongst our population all paved the way for this. Now, having rejected pretty much common sense on how important those past negligences were, they turn to every nontraditional means they can turn to, including same-sex marriage, as a politically-correct substitution for the real solutions of telling men and women to keep their pants zipped or skirts down outside of wedlock, much less also to spend or make neccessary sacrifices, and earn up enough money to obtain something one desires. It’s as if the left has some alternate religion of their own, suggesting to avoid everything commonsensical or religious like some sort of plague.
CT and now Delaware... can the neighboring states of NY, NJ and PA be far behind?
I doubt it. The real thing I do regret is the fact that much fewer states actually have a Proposition system as does California.
“SB 30 does, however, give religious institutions the right to refuse to perform same-sex union ceremonies. “
Hopefully those statutes remain, in fact, that passage provision was probably what helped pass the legislation.
Although as we saw in California, the gay activists went to federal court to get Proposition 8 overturned. And a lower federal court has overturned it, pending the appeals.
This California case could be the one that imposes 50 state homosexual marriage. Reason being, if the state of California cannot amend its constitution to define marriage, then how can any state legally define what marriage is within its own borders?
The courts are out of control. The federal government defines marriage as a man and a woman. Almost all states do so also. Yet the state of California has been sued in federal court, saying that its definition of marriage, which matches the federal definition, is in violation of federal constitutional rights.
We’re in Orwell’s 1984 and Alice in Wonderland territory with the homosexual marriage court cases.
Not sure civil unions are dominoes, and I will admit to being even in favor of gay marriage. I want a secular government that makes few demands on, and has little interest in, any religion. “El al Id” and Passover aren’t government holidays, and Christmas shouldn’t be, either. Homos should be allowed to civilly or liberal-church marry, but they and the government shouldn’t be able to force any old church to perform the rump-reaming ceremony against its members’ wishes.
Fine create “Civil unions” then start explaining to us why we the Tax payer are subsiding them. What do they provide for us? Do they produce a stable environment for children? What children?
“The courts are out of control. The federal government defines marriage as a man and a woman. Almost all states do so also. Yet the state of California has been sued in federal court, saying that its definition of marriage, which matches the federal definition, is in violation of federal constitutional rights.”
My worst dread is what I outlined in post #11. How long will provision 30 hold? That is, will they leave the rule intact, I figure they will, simply turning to the surrounding school systems to re-educate first, then leave religion to be left as a marginal institution. But you probably understand the feeling of anxiety about what an opponent will leave untouched in the law as well...
RE: Not sure civil unions are dominoes, and I will admit to being even in favor of gay marriage. I want a secular government that makes few demands on, and has little interest in, any religion.
As long as there is no compulsion to FORCE Christian or religious businessmen or religious organizations whose beliefs and creeds consider the homosexual lifestyle sinful, I don’t mind it either.
If IBM or Apple or Disney wants to support gay relationship by offering partner benefits, that’s their business. However, businesses, institutions or organizations should be FREE to decide this for themselves without any coercion.
But the moment the government steps into the fray, COMPELLING and FORCING people (e.g. Christian hospitals) under the threat of punishment becomes the norm.
THAT is why I am against government involving themselves on this issue. Governments are ALWAYS ABOUT COERCION.
“Homos should be allowed to civilly or liberal-church marry, but they and the government shouldn’t be able to force any old church to perform the rump-reaming ceremony against its members’ wishes.”
Precisely what the text in the bill says.
I see some pretty serious beat-downs, and possibly the need to withdraw the United States government from that territory.
Well, anyone should have the common sense to stay away from gangs, they have little to no sympathy for you if you are not a loyal member.
The State Capital will be move to Queerhobeth....
With a Fabulous! Dinner at the Black Pearl.
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