Lisa Goodman of Equality Delaware and
her partner will be the first couple to enter a civil union in
Delaware on New Year's Day, the AP
reported.
The state's first law to recognize the
unions of gay and lesbian couples takes effect at 10AM on January 1,
2012. However, government offices are scheduled to be closed on
January 1 and on January 2 for the New Year holiday.
New Castle County Clerk of the Peace
Ken Boulden has announced he'll open Sunday, January 1 to issue
licenses by appointment only. But he won't perform civil unions
ceremonies in his office until January 5.
Goodman, whose group led the fight for
the civil unions law, and her partner of 14 years, Drewry Fennell,
head of the state Criminal Justice Council, will obtain their license
from Boulden and have their civil union solemnized at the Trinity
Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington at noon.
“We'll have lots of family in for the
day,” Goodman told the news service.
“It solidifies our life together,”
said George Everett, who is planning to tie the knot with his partner
of 23 years on January 5. “It just means a lot to us.”
Governor Jack Markell signed
the legislation before 600 cheering supporters in May.
(Related: Gay
couples to enter civil unions at midnight on New Year's Eve in
Hawaii.)