Democratic Governor Jack Markell of Delaware signed a bill last night to legalize same-sex unions throughout the state. CBS news reports that the new law will take effect as of January 1, 2012 and grant gay and lesbian couples legal protections and recognitions under civil unions and domestic partnerships.
In addition to providing same-sex couples the opportunity for civil union and domestic partnership, Markell explained that the law will also recognize the families and children of same-sex couples with full equality.
Markell’s action makes Delaware the eighth state in the nation to ensure such legal protections for same-sex couples.
The governor, who spoke at an event sponsored by Equality Delaware in the wake of his historic decision, explained that the legislation on behalf of LGBT equality serves the greater good of both the state and nation by taking a stand against the outdated prejudices, bias and legal roadblocks that, in his words, “lessen any one of us.”
