Delaware is now the eleventh state to pass legislation that permits same-sex marriage, following an exhausting debate in the state Senate Tuesday.

The bill passed with a 12-9 vote; Democrat Governor Jack Markell signed it into law 30 minutes later, standing on the main stairs in the lobby of the Legislative Hall, reported USA Today.

"We are doing this bill signing right now, instead of a few days or a few weeks from now," he said to the large group of supporters surrounding him. "And the reason is simple-I do not intend to make any of you wait one moment longer."

The law provides same-sex marriage approval starting July 1. Delaware residents currently joined by a same-sex civil union will be able to change that union into a marriage, legally recognized in the eyes of the state. No new civil unions will be performed after the law goes into practice.

The bill does not compromise religious views, either: clerics are not required to perform marriages that conflict with their beliefs.

However, business owners that discriminate against same-sex couples by refusing to provide marriage-related services for LGBT weddings could catch a case, under a pre-existing Delaware law.

The bill does not grant any more benefits or rights to couples that are currently in civil-unions, but supporters say it is important that LGBT unions receive the same respect given to heterosexual marriages.

LGBT rights activists, supporters and couples in same-sex civil unions who attended the Senate hearing burst out into cheers of euphoria once the vote passed the bill into law.

Democratic Senator Bethany Hall-Long and Republican Senator Catherine Cloutier were the swing votes in favor of the bill. Cloutier was the only Republican 'yes' vote in the Senate.

Markell commented on how difficult passing the law proved to be, yet how large of a payoff it reaped.

"I think this is the right thing for Delaware," he said, posing for photos with supporters of the bill for the press. "It took an incredible team effort."