Delaware Civil Unions Legislation Advances in State Senate

Yesterday was kind of a "two steps forward, two steps back" kind of day when it comes to LGBT equality. First the "two steps back" part -- after debate in the Colorado House on civil unions legislation, the measure unfortunately stalled after a 6-5 vote in the House's Judiciary Committee. Yes, despite the fact that 72 percent of Colorado residents support civil unions legislation (from across all political parties, at that), six members of the Judiciary Committee (all Republicans) voted to nix the bill.

But while Colorado proved frustrating yesterday, the state of Delaware proved hopeful. That's because a key State Senate committee debated civil unions legislation, and after two hours of testimony, moved the bill forward to the entire State Senate.

Among those testifying included Rev. Doug Gerdts, pastor of First & Central Presbyterian Church. Rev. Gerdts has a lesbian daughter, and spoke about how she was created in God's image, and that her sexual orientation would not change the fact that he loved his daughter, and wanted to see her granted equal rights in our country. Rev. Gerdts said that when his daughter came out, he was "sad and angry" at the thought of society and lawmakers wanting to make her life more painful because of who she was.

"I found myself sad and angry," Rev. Gerdts said. "Angry at a yet-to-be identified person or persons who might attempt to make her life painful, simply because of the way God created her. Sad that her life would have challenges and struggles that mine doesn't."

Rev. Gerdts wasn't the only supporter. There was also a police officer, Mike Bouchard, who talked about how each day he says goodbye to his partner, and then puts his life on the line in order to keep Delaware residents safe. Bouchard said he loves his job and is honored to be a part of Delaware's law enforcement community, but said that he doesn't understand why he isn't granted many of the same rights that heterosexual-married residents receive in the state.

It's all very good news that this bill has been pushed out of committee, but as Equality Delaware notes, it's still imperative to reach out to Delaware legislators and urge them to support civil unions legislation. The opposition is heating up -- indeed, a few opponents of civil unions legislation testified yesterday that gay people could be "cured," and that Jesus Christ demanded same-sex couples be treated with discrimination. We can't let these voices win.

So add your name to this Change.org petition here calling for passage of Delaware's civil unions law, and join Equality Delaware's Facebook page here to keep up to speed on all things related to equal rights in America's first state.

Photo credit: bobindrums