In Rhode Island, marriage equality is already the law. But the law is not yet in effect; not until August 1st. Tomorrow, Delaware's Senate is likely to pass marriage equality legislation that will make it legal for Delaware to peform same-sex marriages beginning in July.
From one of my many secret sources on the front lines in Delaware:
"Sources close to the campaign in Delaware suggest that the whip count in Delaware is looking extremely good for Tuesday's Senate vote, with local bloggers reporting a majority secured, and same-sex marriages should be starting there in July."
Right now the vote looks like it will be 11-10, but perhaps a few Senators, realizing they are to be on the wrong side of both the vote and history, will flip of a sudden.
The Delaware House of Representatives has already passed the legislation. As far as I know, the Senate legislation is identical to the House version, so, unlike what happened in Rhode Island over the last few weeks, the legislation should go directly to the Governor, who has said he will sign it.
I haven't been able to find information as to what time the Delaware Senate will be considering the bill, but you can follow the action by checking Equality Delaware on twitter. Update: I'm told that the proceedings will commence at 2:00 PM, ET.
So while Rhode Island became the 10th state and 11th jurisdiction in the US to legalize same-sex marriage, Delaware is poised to become the 10th state and 11th jurisdiction to begin performing same sex marriages. That should keep the footnoters employed for a while more.
Once Delaware votes tomorrow all eyes will turn toward Minnesota and Illinois, where it looks like the vote count in both state's Houses is still just shy of majority, but with undecideds.
Update on Minnesota (via TowleRoad):
House DFL leadership announced the plans Tuesday. House Speaker Paul Thissen has previously said that scheduling the vote would be a signal that DFL leaders secured the 68 votes needed to pass the bill.
Ok, the promised factoids, in the form of a quiz.
A. The smallest country population-wise with marriage equality?
B. The smallest country in area with marriage equality?
C. The largest country population-wise to have enacted marriage equality?
D. The largest country in area with marriage equality?
E. The continent with the most countries with marriage equality?
F. The continent with the highest percent of its population with marriage equality?
G. The southernmost country with marriage equality?
H. The country closest to the International Dateline having enacted marriage equality?
I. The country which most should have enacted marriage equality by now but hasn't?
J. The only place on Earth to have once had marriage equality, but which now does not?
K. The odds on whether marriage equality will be the law on Mars before it the law in Saudi Arabia?
L. The odds on whether Michele Bachmann's head will explode if and when Minnesota's legislature enacts marriage equality?
M. The oldest same-sex couple to become married?
N. The youngest same-sex couple to become married?
O. The day hell freezes over?
----- ANSWERS -----
A. Iceland.
B. Belgium.
C. France.
D. Canada.
E. Europe.
F. South America. (the majority of Brazilian states have marriage equality now).
G. Argentina.
H. New Zealand.
I. Australia. (dis)Honorable mentions: Luxembourg, Finland.
J. California (the 18,000 grandfathered in same-sex couples nonwithstanding).
K. 3:1 in favor of Mars.
L. 2:1 against an explosion.
M. ?
N. ?
O. The day Vatican City legalizes same-sex marriages.