Lesbian Lawyers First to Get Civil Union in Delaware

 Lawyers Drewry Fennell and Lisa Goodman became the first same-sex couple to legally wed in Delaware, after a new civil union law went into effect on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The couple, together 14 years, were joined by Rev. Patricia Downing, director of Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington, in front of more than 400 people, including U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del., who delivered a sermon) and Lt. Gov. Matt Denns (who read a scripture). The crowd reportedly gave the women a standing ovation after the service was complete.

AP reported that Goodman helped lead Equality Delaware's fight for state's new law while Fennell heads the state's Criminal Justice Council. The New Castle County Clerk of the Peace, Ken Boulden Jr., had opened his office on a Sunday, New Year's day, so that eight couples — including the Goodman-Fennells — could get their licenses on the first day they were legally available.

Boulden was a guest at the Goodman-Fennel wedding, telling CBS News, "It was a great way to begin the new year."

Delaware and Hawaii both join Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island in allowing civil unions, with new laws that went into effect on Sunday. Six states plus the District of Columbia now allow same-sex marriage.