UPDATED
The Delaware House has approved civil unions for same-sex couples by a vote of 26-15.
The Senate passed the bill last week by a vote of 13-6.
The vote followed three hours of debate. When the vote was announced, the balcony erupted into cheers, applause and cries of “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
With passage of the bill – S.B. 30 – Delaware becomes the eighth state to grant such legal status to same-sex couples.
The bill is written to parallel Delaware's marriage code, but opponents say it will certainly be used to fight for same-sex marriage.
Said Governor Markell last week after the bill passed the Senate: "It's time for this bill to pass. It's time for the bill to be signed. It's the right thing to do for the people of Delaware."
Listen to the vote and hear the House break into cheers, and watch a report on the new civil unions, AFTER THE JUMP…
