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July 16, 2021 - Out in Delaware by David Mariner

The First State Again?


On June 17, state legislators, LGBTQ community members, and disability rights advocates gathered outside Legislative Hall in Dover for a special announcement. House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst announced the introduction of House Bill 199, for which she is the lead sponsor. She was joined by several co-sponsors of the bill including Speaker of the House Peter C. Schwartzkopf, Senators Marie Pinkney and Sara McBride, and Representative Eric Morrison.


HB199 is the first step towards a constitutional amendment to add sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability to Article I, §21 of the Delaware Constitution to declare explicitly that protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability is one of Delaware's fundamental rights. Delaware previously amended the state constitution to prohibit the denial or abridgement of equal rights under the law based on sex in 2019. In 2020, race, color, and national origin were also added.


If passed, Delaware would make history by becoming the first state to include sexual orientation or gender identity in its state constitution. Delaware would join Britain, Bolivia, Ecuador, Fiji, and Malta, countries that explicitly offer equal constitutional rights to LGBTQ individuals.


HB199 currently has 31 sponsors, which is a strong showing. It will be taken up in the next legislative session. As a proposed change to the state constitution, it will need to be passed by two successive general assemblies.


CAMP Rehoboth staff and board members were honored to attend the event. Two young people who participate in our CAMP Rehoboth Youth Up! program, Edward Christopher and JaLynn, spoke at the event, about the impact HB199 would have on them.


Also speaking at the event were Mark Purpura and Lisa Goodman from Equality Delaware. 


Mark recently emphasized the importance of adding state constitutional protections. “Our current legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are piecemeal and address actions of the state government mainly through a Governor’s Executive Order.”


A new governor could potentially reverse the executive order. A state constitutional amendment would, therefore, offer more permanent and tangible protections for government services including Medicaid and Medicare, an important issue for transgender and nonbinary individuals seeking gender affirming care.


“A state constitutional amendment would also make it much more difficult for any future general assembly or governor to enact a law that is discriminatory against LGBTQ people or people with disabilities,” Mark added. “The constitutional amendment would likely at least place a heightened standard of review on any such law.”


Mark also said that even though the legislative session is closed, there is never a bad time to learn more about where your state senator and representative stand on this issue. If you would like to see a complete list of cosponsors or track the progress of this legislation you can do so at legis.delaware.gov. ▼


David Mariner is executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.

‹ July 16, 2021 - In Brief up July 16, 2021 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • December 17, 2021 - Issue Index
  • November 19, 2021 - Issue Index
  • October 22, 2021 - Issue Index
  • September 24, 2021 - Issue Index
  • August 20, 2021 - Issue Index
  • July 16, 2021 - Issue Index
    • July 16, 2021 - Cover to Cover with Issuu
    • July 16, 2021 - The Way I See It by Beth Shockley
    • July 16, 2021 - In Brief
    • July 16, 2021 - Out in Delaware by David Mariner
    • July 16, 2021 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMPNews
    • July 16, 2021 - SUN FESTIVAL 2021
    • July 16, 2021 - It's My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • July 16, 2021 - Community News
    • July 16, 2021 - Volunteer Spotlight by Karen Laitman
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Words Matter by Clarence Fluker
    • July 16, 2021 - Membership Matters by Marj Shannon
    • July 16, 2021 - Who's That?.... That's CAMP! by Anita Broccolino
    • July 16, 2021 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • July 16, 2021 - Health & Wellness Classes
    • July 16, 2021 - COVID-19 & HIV by Ashley Innes
    • July 16, 2021 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • July 16, 2021 - LGBTQ+ YA Column by Ella Walker
    • July 16, 2021 - Candidate Forum
    • July 16, 2021 - Dining Out by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMP Houses by Rich Barnett
    • July 16, 2021 - Celebrity Interview by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Music from the Heart by Matty Brown
    • July 16, 2021 - Cover Story: Historic Poodle Beach by Fay Jacobs
    • July 16, 2021 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • July 16, 2021 - CAMPShots
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Michael Gilles
    • July 16, 2021 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • July 16, 2021 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
    • July 16, 2021 - Spotlight on the Arts by Doug Yetter
    • July 16, 2021 - Summer Treats by Ed Castelli
    • July 16, 2021 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • July 16, 2021 - Theatre Is Back by Michael Gilles
    • July 16, 2021 - View Point by Richard J. Rosendall
    • July 16, 2021 - Visiting View by D'Anne Witkowski
    • July 16, 2021 - We Remember
  • June 18, 2021 - Issue Index
  • May 14, 2021 - Issue Index
  • April 16, 2021 - Issue Index
  • March 19, 2021 - Issue Index
  • February 19th, 2021 - Issue Index

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