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Pace of Same Sex Weddings in Delaware, Expected to Slow

Maryland Equality

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - More than 2,000 same-sex couples have been married in Delaware in the last 12 months, but court clerks in the state expect the pace to slow going forward.

Delaware became the 11th state to legalize same-sex weddings under a law that took effect in July 2013.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that in the 12 months ending June 30, court clerks in the state issued 2,092 marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

More than 80 percent of those licenses were issued in the first six months the law took effect.

Court clerks expect the pace to slow further as nearby states including Pennsylvania and New Jersey have subsequently legalized same-sex marriage, reducing the need for out-of-staters to come to Delaware for a license.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.