State votes to end gay bias (delawareonline.com)

By MIKE CHALMERS • The News Journal • June 25, 2009

DOVER -- Gays and lesbians in Delaware will have legal protection from discrimination under a bill that passed the General Assembly late Wednesday night, more than a decade after supporters started fighting for it.

The House chamber erupted in applause, cheers and hugs when representatives passed the measure shortly after 8:30 p.m. An hour earlier, the Senate -- where previous versions of the legislation always were killed -- passed the same bill after a three-hour debate.

The bill now goes to Gov. Jack Markell for his signature. Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, who helped push the bill through the House, said Markell has expressed support for it.

"We made a big step forward tonight," said Drewry Fennell, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Delaware, which supported the bill.

"It protects the most basic activities of human life -- moving about the world, earning a living, keeping a roof over your head," Fennell said. "Now the state has said you can't be discriminated against because of sexual orientation."
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more: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090625/NEWS/906250357/State+votes+to+end+gay+bias




It's a start -- could New Sweden be joining New England before long?

""We knew if we could get it to the floor for an honest debate, it would pass," said Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, and House majority leader.

Rep. William Oberle Jr., R-Beecher's Lot, has been pushing the proposal for more than a decade.

"It's obviously a great feeling," Oberle said. "When you're doing the right thing, it makes it a lot easier to deal with . We did the right thing tonight."

Guy has to stop watching 'Girls Gone Wild' videos. Two drunken women making out does not make one a lesbian.

and btw that guy was a democrat too.

I highly doubt we'll see gay marriage anytime soon in Delaware. It's already defined in our constitution. HOwever, I could see that civil unions would be allowed. I think that would be great business for Delaware especially since Rehobeth Beach is a popular destination for GLBT community.

She's my sister's sister-in-law. (Well, strictly speaking she's not. But if gay marriage were legal in Delaware she most likely would be.)

I'm glad to see my home state is moving in the right direction. Good on ya', Delaware!