Delaware House approves gay marriage bill

RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press

DOVER, Del. (AP) — The state House has narrowly approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Delaware.

The House voted 23-to-18 Tuesday for the bill, which now goes to the Senate.

Democratic Gov. Jack Markell has promised to sign the bill if it passes the legislature, where it was introduced earlier this month, a little more than a year after Delaware began recognizing same-sex civil unions.

Under the proposal, no new civil unions would be performed after July 1. Existing civil unions would be converted to marriages.

Supporters say couples in same-sex relationships deserve the same dignity and respect afforded to married couples.

Opponents argue that same-sex marriage redefines and destroys the institution, and that same-sex couples in civil unions already have all the rights and benefits under state law that married couples have.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.