Delaware group asks Sen. Carper to “not politicize marriage”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper’s announcement that he’s endorsing marriage equality gained national attention and was shared thousands of times on social media however, in his home state, one Delaware advocacy group has expressed its disapproval of the decision.

The Delaware Family Policy Council released a response to Carper’s announcement asking legislators “not politicize marriage and stick with civil unions.”

“Government didn’t invent marriage, which has been upheld all throughout history, cultures, and faiths,” stated the release from DFPC. “It transcends every political system and its rights come from nature and nature’s God, not the government.”

The DFPC argues that civil unions, which were made legal more than a year ago in Delaware, are the effective solution to treating people equally without redefining marriage.

“Marriage is based on the truth that men and women are complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the reality that children need a mother and a father,” states the release. “Redefining marriage does not simply expand the existing understanding of marriage; it rejects these truths.”

Carper has joined a number of U.S. Senators who recently backed gay marriage. He was the last Democratic Senator to support the issue.

“Through my prayers and conversations with my family and countless friends and Delawareans, I’ve been reminded of the power of one of my core values: the Golden Rule,” said Carper in a Facebook post supporting marriage equality. “It calls on us to treat others as we want to be treated. That means, to me, that all Americans ultimately should be free to marry the people they love and intend to share their lives with, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Earlier this week, Congressman John Carney also threw his support behind gay marriage. 

“For over a generation, we as a society have honored the truth that separate is not equal,” said Carney in a statement on his website. “On the surface, this may just sound like a debate about words. But marriage is also symbolic — it gives honor to a lifelong partnership in a way that civil unions do not. This June, I will be married 20 years. I know that marriage is about commitment, love, and mutual respect.

“All Delawareans should have the privilege of participating in this institution.”

Congressman Chris Coons is also in favor of marriage equality.

The announcements followed oral arguments held by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Defense of Marriage Act last week.