Delaware has become the 11th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. Democratic Governor Jack Markell signed the measure into law just moments after the state Senate gave its final approval.

Gov. Jack Markell: “I know many of you here today, and many up and down our state, have waited years — in fact, decades — for this day to come. And I know that many of you know others who had hoped for years and decades to see this day come, but they passed before their right to marry the one they loved was recognized by the state that they call home. And you may be wondering why that we are doing this bill signing right now instead of a few days or a couple weeks from now. And the reason is simple: I do not intend to make any of you wait one moment longer.”

The Delaware same-sex marriage law will take effect July 1st. Its passage follows Rhode Island’s approval of a similar measure on Friday.