Thursday, May 09, 2013

Updated: With Delaware, Gay Marriage Now Legal in 11 States; Five More Likely to Follow


With Delaware legalizing gay marriage yesterday, the total number of states to now legally recognize such unions is eleven, nearly doubling the number of states in which same-sex marriage was legal last year.

Delaware joined its neighbor Maryland and nearby District of Columbia as jurisdictions that have recently approved same-sex marriage. Last week, Rhode Island became the 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed. Independent Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the bill within an hour after the bill passed, as a chorus sang "Chapel of Love" and crowds cheered.

To date, 37 states ban same-sex marriage through constitutional amendments or legislative initiatives, while New Jersey and New Mexico neither ban nor permit same-sex marriage.

Eyes now turn to California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oregon, as these states stand poised to override voter mandates at the ballot through legislation. Read more

Also read
New: Del. legalizes gay marriage; Minn. next?
New: Same-Sex Marriage Now Legal in More Than 1 in 5 States
New: Minnesota House OKs same-sex marriage; Senate expected to concur
New: Minn. House approves gay marriage; would be 12th
Gay marriage momentum expands to 2 Midwest states
Delaware becomes 11th U.S. state to allow gay marriage

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