Archive Version of
Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Couples Online from 1995-2022 Demian and Steve Bryant originally founded Partners as a monthly newsletter in 1986. By late 1990 it was reformatted into a bi-monthly magazine. Print publication was halted by 1995 when Demian published Partners as a Web site, which greatly expanded readership. In 1988, the Partners National Survey of Lesbian & Gay Couples report was published; the first major U.S. survey on same-sex couples in a decade. In 1996, Demian produced The Right to Marry, a video documentary based on the dire need for equality that was made clear by the data from the survey mentioned above. The video featured interviews with Rev. Mel White, Evan Wolfson, Phyllis Burke, Richard Mohr, Kevin Cathcart, Faygele benMiriam, Benjamin Cable-McCarthy, Susan Reardon, Frances Fuchs, Tina Podlodowski, and Chelle Mileur. Demian has been the sole operator during the last two decades of Partners. Demian stopped work on Partners Task Force in order to realize his other time-consuming projects, which include publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights” - which is now available on Amazon. The book is based on the Partners Survey mentioned above, his interviews of scores of couples, and 36 years of writing hundreds of articles about same-sex couples. It’s also been informed by his personal experience in a 20-year, same-sex relationship. Demian’s other project is to publish his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than six decades as a photographer and writer. |
Legal marriage for same-sex couples became law on May 7, 2013.
The state of Delaware same-sex marriage law went into effect on July 1, 2013.
Marriage Rationale Allowing committed same-sex couples to get married does not change the meaning of marriage. It changes who has access. Civil marriage for same-sex couples does not affect religious marriages, religious institutions or clergy in any way. No legal marriage law has ever required any religion to be forced to marry same-sex couples, or recognize same-sex marriages within the context of their religious beliefs. What defines a marriage is love and commitment, and the ability to protect your family. Marriage strengthens all families. It gives couples the tools and the security to build a life together and to protect their family. Couples marry because they want to be together through sickness and health, when times are good and when things get tough. State and federal marriage laws provide a safety net of legal and economic protections for married couples and their children – including the ability to visit a spouse in the hospital, and to transfer property, which can mean being able to remain in the family home when a spouse has passed away. While there have been attempts to create marriage-like relationship systems — Domestic Partnership registrations and Civil Unions — they don’t provide the same security and protections on a national level. History Same-sex sexual activity was made legal in Delaware on January 1, 1973. The University of Delaware’s policy on both discrimination and harassment has included sexual orientation since 1990. Since 2009, Delaware law has prohibited discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. Since 2013, Delaware law has prohibited discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. Gov. Jack Markell issued an executive order on August 11, 2009, which protects employees of state’s executive branch departments and agencies from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In March 2011, state senators David P. Sokola and Melanie George introduced a bill to create civil unions in Delaware. Governor Jack Markell signed the legislation on May 11, 2011, and it took effect on January 1, 2012. Civil unions grant the “rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities"” of married persons. In 2012, Delaware issued at least 565 civil union licenses. In March 2012, Governor Markell said he thought that the legalization of same-sex marriage in Delaware was “inevitable” and would be passed “probably within the next few years.” On June 6, 2013, bill SB 97 passed the Senate by 11-7. The bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual, or perceived, gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. The House committee passed the legislation 4-1 and on June 18, the House floor passed SB 97 by 24-17 with amendments. SB 97 went back to the Senate for final approval. The Senate-approved the amendments by 11-9. One day later, SB 97 was signed into law by the Governor, and went into effect immediately. A bill to allow same-sex marriage, and also facilitates converting civil unions into marriages, passed the Delaware House by a vote of 23-18, on April 23. The Senate approved it 12-9, on May 7, and that same day the Governor signed the legislation, which went effect July 1, 2013. Governor Jack Markell: “Today, we wrote a new chapter in our history and proved, once again, justice and equality continue to move forward in Delaware. In my ‘State of the State’ earlier this year, I spoke about a Delaware that protects the rights of all of its citizens, no matter whom they love. By signing House Bill 75 into law, we are another step closer towards achieving that goal.”Lt. Governor Matt Denn: “Today the state Senate did the right thing. Twenty years from now, our kids will wonder why it was ever an issue.”Senator David P. Sokola: “This is about the full respect and dignity that comes with marriage. I’m pleased we have passed legislation granting equal justice under the law to loving couples in same-sex relationships.”Representative Melanie George Smith: “In Delaware, we do what is right for our citizens. We don’t wait for other states. We don’t wait for the federal government. As legislators, we act right here in Delaware for our citizens. This bill is about equality and treating all couples in a loving, committed relationship with equal respect and dignity. It protects religious freedom by giving churches the freedom to choose whether to marry a same-sex couple or not.”Senator Patricia M. Blevins: “This is an important day for Delawareans and ensuring equality for all of our citizens. Granting couples – regardless of their sexual orientation – the right to marry the person they love is another important step toward ushering in the equal treatment all Americans should enjoy.”Speaker of the House, Pete Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth): “It has been a long road. I have been working on this for ten years, and many more have been working on equality for all Delawareans for a lot longer. It’s a great day to be in Delaware.”Polling indicated 54 percent of state residents back marriage equality. Equality Delaware, a statewide organization working to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Delawareans, built a broad-based coalition to advocate for the bill. The organization earned support from faith leaders such as Episcopal Bishop Wayne Wright and Dr. Donald Morton, organizations like the Delaware NAACP and the state’s four leading labor unions, and businesses like DuPont. Lisa Goodman, president, Equality Delaware, Inc.: “This is an historic day in Delaware. Delawareans of all backgrounds recognize that treating everyone fairly under the law is the right thing to do. Today our State Senate has joined our House of Representatives in voting to pass marriage equality. This law strengthens our families, strengthens our communities and makes Delaware an even better place to live and work. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Delawarean than I am right now.”Other groups supporting megal marriage included the ACLU Delaware LGBT Rights Project, Freedom to Marry, and Human Rights Campaign. The first couple to marry in the state was Karen Petersen, a Delaware State Senator, who co-sponsored the bill establishing the freedom to marry earlier in 2013, and her partner of 24 years, Victoria Bandy. Says Sen. Peterson: “It’s a real thrill, it’s a thrill for both of us. It’s not something that we ever expected in our lifetimes, but it means a lot personally and financially.” Article from a Political Leader
Regulations & Links to Official State Instructions Delaware Marriage License Regulations
Further Resources
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