The Delaware House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would make Delaware the 10th state to legalize same sex marriage.
House Bill 75, which passed the House 23-18, would establish civil marriage equality in the state, giving all couples the same rights. Passage came after a two-your debates, with opponents arguing that marriage is between one man and one woman.
House sponsor Rep. Melanie George Smith said the legislation is about freedom, fairness and equality. The freedom to marry the person you love, she said, is a basic, fundamental right that should not be denied to anyone..
HB 75 states that no member of the clergy will ever be required to perform or solemnize any marriage, including a same-sex marriage, that does not conform with his or her religious beliefs. This came after the filiong of lawsuits in other areas.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, nine states and Washington, D.C. already allow same-sex couples to marry. Delaware is one of 10 states that allow either same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships. Marriage equality bills are also pending in Rhode Island, Illinois and Minnesota.
Passage of the bill came only a few years after legislation outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation was stopped by a committee chairman putting the measure “in the desk drawer.”
HB 75 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
