Dover— 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the cleaners of many prominent commercial office buildings in Delaware, today announced its endorsement of marriage equality legislation upon introduction in the Delaware General Assembly.

“32BJ SEIU sees marriage equality as an important civil rights issue and believes all working people should be treated with dignity and respect. We stand with our LGBT brothers and sisters in the union and all Delawareans fighting for equality under the law,” said Wayne MacManiman, SEIU 32BJ’s Mid-Atlantic District Director.

“Equality Delaware is proud to have the support of 32BJ SEIU,” said Lisa Goodman, President of Equality Delaware. “Marriage Equality will make Delaware a more welcoming place to live and work for 32BJ SEIU members and for all Delawareans.”

With growing momentum from community groups, labor unions, and Governor Jack Markell and Attorney General Beau Biden, a same-sex marriage bill will likely be introduced this spring. Public support for gay marriage in Delaware is also growing. A Global Strategy Group poll released on March 4 shows 54 percent of Delawareans are in favor of same-sex marriage, whereas only 37 percent are opposed.

32BJ’s endorsement of marriage equality is part of a long history of support by the local and its parent union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which first endorsed same-sex marriage in 2004. SEIU has fought for same-sex marriage bills in a number of states and has led the charge to protect LGBT rights on the job.

With more than 125,000 members in nine states, including 10,000 in Philadelphia and Delaware, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.