Governor Markell Statement on Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Rulings

Same-Sex Couples Can Receive Marriage Licenses in Delaware Beginning Monday

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell released the following statement reacting to the Supreme Court’s decisions today to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and that the petitioners in California’s Prop 8 case do not have standing. As a result of marriage equality legislation passed in Delaware this year, same-sex couples in the state can begin receiving marriage licenses on Monday, July 1.

“Today’s Supreme Court rulings represent a victory for civil rights and another landmark moment in our country’s never-ending quest to be a more perfect union,” said Markell. “The decisions affirm that we can only live up to the values of freedom and justice for all when everyone is treated equally under our laws. I’m proud that we have celebrated this principle in our state with the passage of marriage equality. And I am proud that Delaware stood among the 11 other states whose marriage equality laws were expressly cited by today’s Supreme Court opinion.

“Same sex couples who make lifetime commitments to each other in Delaware starting Monday can now look forward to having their vows recognized by their nation.”