jack chambers

Delaware took a significant step toward equality Thursday when the house of representatives voted to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples. The proposal passed the senate last week and Gov. Jack Markell intends to sign the bill. Cheers erupted shortly after 7 p.m. when, in a bipartisan 26 to 15 vote, the Democratic-controlled chamber approved the proposal, which would provide same-sex couples in civil unions with the same rights and responsibilities as married couples, to the extent possible. Comparable same-sex unions including marriages from other jurisdictions would be recognized as civil unions in Delaware.