Same Sex Civil Unions Legalized in Delaware, 400 Line Up on New Year’s Day


Now that same sex civil unions are legal in Delaware gay and lesbian couples are flooding courthouses to celebrate their relationships.

The new law went into effect today, and according to the Associated Press, more than 400 people lined up on New Year’s Day to get a civil union.

According to Delaware Online, lawyers Lisa Goodman and Drewry Fennell were the first LGBT couple to be joined in a same-sex civil union ceremony in Delaware.

Goodman, who is a lawyer for the advocacy group Equality Delaware, and Fennell, who once led the ACLU’s Delaware chapter, have been a couple for 14-years. Rev. Patricia Downing led the ceremony while U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Lt. Governor Matt Denns both gave readings for the couple.

The Associated Press reports that Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed a law authorizing civil unions in May. The new law, which went into effect today, puts Delaware in the company of 14 other states (and the District of Columbia) that provide spousal rights to same-sex couples.

Delaware’s same-sex civil union law is just one of many new laws to go into effect today. Starting today, California is requiring that schools teach gay history. In Utah, happy hours and other drinking deals are banned. And immigrants in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina will now have a harder time finding work due to stricter screening policies.

Do you live in a state that allows gay marriage or same-sex unions?

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