CIVIL UNION BILL PASSES HOUSE - TO GOVERNOR
At about 7:15PM on Thursday, April 14th, 2011, the Delaware House of Representatives, by a vote of 26-15, passed SB 30, the Civil Union Bill, and sent it on its way to Governor Jack Markell, who pledged to sign it as soon as arrangements can be made.
In passing this law, Delaware will become the 8th state to grant civil unions to same-sex couples in committed relationships. The Barbara Gittings Delaware Stonewall Democrats are proud to be a part of Equality Delaware, the coalition that drafted the bill in January; found sponsors in February; filed it in March; and guided it through the Senate and House in April! It took 10 years to amend Delaware anti-discrimination laws to add protection for LGB people (the "T" is yet to come), and only months to pass civil unions-on the first try.
While Stonewall and Equality Delaware can be proud of the work its members did, it could never have been done without the support of Governor Markell and the leadership in the legislature. Prime Sponsor Senator David Sokola guided the bill through the Senate and managed the bill on the floor with tact and diplomacy. All but two members of the Senate Democratic caucus voted for the bill, Bruce Ennis who said he favored civil unions but was voting the position of his district, and the virulently homophobic Bob Venables. The bill received key, last minute support from President Pro Tem Anthony Deluca. Only one member of the Senate Republican caucus, Liane Sorenson voted for the bill. We also thank Senator Michael Katz who steered the bill through his committee. The Senate vote was 13-6 with two Republicans absent.
The House handled the bill swiftly. In the face of hordes of mostly uninformed opponents, House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf moved SB 30 through 3 hours of hearings in his committee on Wednesday, April 14th. The next day the House took up the bill after 4PM. Prime Sponsor Representative Melanie George used her considerable legal skills to fend off in debate 9 amendments designed to weaken and destroy SB 30. House Speaker Bob Gilligan kept things moving, but allowed opposition to debate, present "expert" witnesses and every parliamentary maneuver they could utilize to defeat civil unions. The Republican caucus remained united in support of each amendment. No Republican crossed the line to oppose amendments, even though some of them had supported LGBT legislation in the past. The fear of "Tea Partiers" and being "primaried" worked as "Profiles in Courage" will notadd a chapter on any of them. (Two Republicans, Mick Manolakos and Mike Ramone ended up voting for the bill)
The Democratic caucus was largely united in opposition to the amendments and support of the bill. Of the 26 Democrats (there are 15 Republicans) only two voted for all amendments and against the bill (John Atkins and Bill Carson). A number of Democratic representatives stated off the floor that they were voting for SB 30 even if it cost them re-election. These are Profiles in Courage and these representatives, and Senator George Bunting, deserve our support in their difficult districts.
When signed by the Governor, procedures will be put in place so that the Clerks of the Peace in each county will be prepared to unite in civil unions all those in our community who want and need the protections of Delaware law that are taken for granted by those united in marriage.
The Barbara Gittings Delaware Stonewall Democrats thanks all its members and allies who lobbied elected officials and persuaded more than one to stand for equality!
MITCH CRANE, ESQ.
PRESIDENT
