Karen E. Peterson

Karen Peterson
Member of the Delaware Senate
from the 9th district
In office
November 6, 2002 – November 9, 2016
Preceded byThomas B. Sharp
Succeeded byJack Walsh
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseVikki 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 2016.

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

  1. ^ "Karen Peterson, Delaware State Senator, Comes Out During Gay Marriage Debate". Huffington Post, May 7, 2013.
  2. ^ Michelle Garcia, "No. 11: Marriage Equality Signed in Delaware"
  3. ^ Neff, Lisa. "Delaware gay couples marry" Wisconsin Gazette July 11, 2013; p. 4, col. 3