Karen E. Peterson
Karen Peterson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Delaware Senate from the 9th district | |
| In office 2002–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas B. Sharp |
| Succeeded by | Jack Walsh |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vikki Bandy |
| Residence(s) | Stanton, Delaware |
Karen Peterson is an American politician who formerly represented the 9th district of the Delaware Senate. First elected in 2002, she is a member of the Democratic Party. Peterson served in the Senate until 2017.
On May 7, 2013, Peterson came out as lesbian during Senate debate on same-sex marriage in Delaware, becoming the state's first openly LGBT legislator.[1] At that time, she had been with her partner Vikki Bandy for 24 years, and the two had entered a civil union when Delaware legalized them the year before.[2] The two were married on July 1, 2013, becoming the first same-sex couple to convert their existing civil union into marriage in Delaware.[3]
References
- ^ "Karen Peterson, Delaware State Senator, Comes Out During Gay Marriage Debate". Huffington Post, May 7, 2013.
- ^ Michelle Garcia, "No. 11: Marriage Equality Signed in Delaware"
- ^ Neff, Lisa. "Delaware gay couples marry" Wisconsin Gazette July 11, 2013; p. 4, col. 3
External links
- "Senator Karen Peterson". Delaware General Assembly.
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