Delaware Governor: If Brewer Signs The Hate Bill, NFL Should Move Super Bowl

"If they pass this law and if she signs it, it would seem to me that the NFL may be looking, or should be looking, to move the Super Bowl out of that state. Because, you know, there’s so many places around the country that are welcoming to everybody. I’ll put it this way; I want to make it clear that Delaware is a very welcoming place; Four years ago, five years ago, we actually passed a law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It’s puzzling to me other states would be looking at it differently." - Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, speaking today on MSNBC.

The NFL has not yet publicly commented on the controversy. Today the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee denounced the bill.

We share the NFL's core values which embrace tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination. In addition, a key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is to promote the economic vitality of Arizona. On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state's economic growth potential. We do not support this legislation. Instead, we look forward to continuing to promote the NFL's values while focusing on the economic momentum apparent in Arizona and capturing the positive worldwide attention associated with hosting Super Bowl XLIX.

DELAWARE: Transgender Rights Bill Signed Into Law By Gov. Jack Markell

This afternoon Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed a transgender rights bill into law hours after it was approved by the state Senate.  The Washington Blade reports:

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday signed a bill that will add gender identity and expression to his state’s anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws. “Discrimination on basis of gender identity is inherently wrong,” he said. “Legislation to prohibit it is inherently right.” The state Senate by an 11-9 vote margin earlier in the day approved an amended version of Senate Bill 97 that passed in the Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The Task Force reacts via press release:

Until today, Delaware was one of five states in the nation that had nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity. The other states still left are Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Maryland and New York. The Task Force is committed to ensuring protections in those states as well as passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to provide federal employment protections.

The HRC reacts via press release:

“The Delaware Legislature sent a clear message today that transgender residents deserve to be treated equally and protected under the law,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Delaware advocates and lawmakers are standing up and ensuring that the First State is one which welcomes all people, and provides the same protections and opportunities.” “Equality Delaware is so grateful for the support and expertise of HRC in helping us pass the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Bill,” said Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. “HRC stayed on the ground in Delaware through the entire process and was invaluable in helping us attain these protections for transgender Delawareans.”

RELATED: An updated version of New York state's transgender rights bill, GENDA, was introduced three days ago. The bill has passed in the state Assembly six times, but continues to faces challenges in the state Senate. Supporters say they are optimistic about the bill's chances this time.

DE Gov. Jack Markell Chats About Win

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell joined a Google+ video chat last night immediately after signing the marriage equality bill.

DELAWARE: And It's DONE

"I do not intend to make any of you wait one minute longer." - Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, as he signed the marriage equality bill.

DE Governor To Sign Marriage Bill TODAY

Marriages will commence in Delaware even before Rhode Island. Cartoon source.

TODAY: Final Delaware Marriage Vote

Today the full Delaware Senate will make the final vote on marriage equality.  The bill passed out of its Senate committee last week and passed 23-18 in the House late last month. Gov. Jack Markell has promised to sign the bill should it reach his desk. Cross your fingers, kids.  It's going to be very close.

Delaware Gov: Gay Marriage Is Inevitable

As same-sex marriage springs up all around him, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says that it will come soon to his state too.

In an interview with Reuters Insider TV, Markell, a Democrat, said he expects that Delaware will take up same-sex marriage legislation "probably within the next few years." Delaware began allowing civil unions -- an institution set up to give the same rights as civil marriage, while reserving marriage for heterosexual couples -- last year. Markell noted that until three years ago it was legal in Delaware "to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation," and said the state was moving towards greater acceptance of homosexuality. "I think it's inevitable," he said of gay marriage.

Delaware Gets Gay Protections

After a ten year battle by gay activists, yesterday the Delaware legislature voted to add sexual orientation (but not gender identity) to its list of protected classes.

The House chamber erupted in applause, cheers and hugs when representatives passed the measure shortly after 8:30 p.m. An hour earlier, the Senate -- where previous versions of the legislation always were killed -- passed the same bill after a three-hour debate. The bill now goes to Gov. Jack Markell for his signature. Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, who helped push the bill through the House, said Markell has expressed support for it. "We made a big step forward tonight," said Drewry Fennell, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Delaware, which supported the bill. "It protects the most basic activities of human life -- moving about the world, earning a living, keeping a roof over your head," Fennell said. "Now the state has said you can't be discriminated against because of sexual orientation."

The bill covers discrimination in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations.