Marriage Equality Bill Unveiled Today
A news conference unveiling the Marriage Equality bill is scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon at Wilmington’s Freedom Plaza. Rep. Melanie George Smith will sponsor the bill that will legalize marriages between same sex partners, just as she sponsored and worked the Civil Unions bill last session.
Marriage Equality has already been achieved in nine other states and in the District of Columbia. Instead of being the First State, Delaware will be the Tenth. Marriage Equality is already supported by Governor Markell, the Democratic Party, trade unions, the DuPont Company, some Republicans (included some like Fluharty in their own party leadership), and a majority of all Delawareans and all Americans.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Gay and Anti-Marriage Equality Delaware Family Policy Council says marriage equality shouldn’t be a political issue, since civil unions already provide benefits to same-sex couples without redefining traditional marriage. Which of course makes them hypocrites since the right politicized this issue in 2004 in order to draw out the social conservatives.
Ahhhh, while I don’t have an opinion one way or the other on gay marriage, I do think Melanie Smith is the most over-rated member of the General Assembly. After speaking to her on more than one occassion, she is not that bright despite her law degree in my opinion.
While you are entitled to your opinion, may I say that I strongly disagree with your assessment of Mrs. Smith. She is a very able and competent, and intelligent, legislator.
MB,
If you had watched her manage the civil union bill two years ago, you’d have a different opinion. She’s actually brilliant. She’s thoughtful and respectful. There are plenty of legislators who can’t rub two sentences together — she’s certainly not one of them.
And on the post itself, this is a great day. I’m excited to see Delaware take this step toward marriage equality.
I’ve found that the only people who don’t recognize MGS as the intelligent legislator she is, are the people that MGS disagrees with on issues, like the intolerant members of the DFPC.
I also enjoy the irony of the DEGOP’s new plan, “Making Delaware First Again” when they are the ones holding Delaware back on groundbreaking issues like gay marriage and offshore wind. If these Republicans existed in 1787, Delaware would still be debating whether or not to sign the Constitution.
Not all republicans in DE are against Gay Marriage, just call the State GOP and talk to them. If the GOP was honest about ‘Making Delaware First Again’, then maybe they could go back to what made Delaware and the Delaware GOP First, taking care of the people. You know when Gov. DuPont and Sen. Roth ran things…
ahhhhh, the good old days. Like they said at NASA, we will not send a man to the moon….”NOT IN MY LIFETIME”
Maybe a strong CONSTITUTIONAL party like back home in NY would work in Slower, Lower Delaware.
Republican Representative Mike Ramone, who voted for the civil union bill, was at the press conference this afternoon.
I really do not care either way on this bill. I feel that if they support our flag and country they should have the same rights as anyone else. Of course they say now days the 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce so sign a prenuptial or be prepared to lose ¾ of everything you will own for the rest of your life. Welcome to marriage:-).