newjerseynewsroom.com

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

With proponents and opponents of the same-sex marriage legislation picketing the homes, and work places of state legislators or school events involving their children, Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a prime sponsor of the measure, Thursday asked for everybody involved to get a grip on themselves.

"I have been working hard to achieve passage of my legislation granting full marriage rights to same-sex couples,'' Weinberg said in Trenton. "While I understand that passions are running high on both sides of this issue, I would ask advocates to maintain the civil and courteous tone that has been established by legislators during these discussions.

Matt Reilly, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats, said legislators have been confronted while attending school events with family members.

For example, the Trenton home of Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Mercer) was picketed after dark and demonstrators showed up outside her office at Rider University in Lawrence, Reilly said.

Earlier this week, oppoents of the bill picketed a birthday party at the West Windsor Firehouse for Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Union), a proponents of the legislation, and attempted to talk to some of the guests as they entered.

Tuesday night, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union), who opposes the bill, found gay-rights demonstrators outside his fifth-grade daughter's school where his family attended a holiday concert.

A vote on the same-sex marriage bill was expected in the full Senate on Thursday but on Wednesday Weinberg and Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), the co-sponsor, had it pulled from the agenda, saying the measure should receive a second public hearing, this time before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Assembly Democratic aides said Thursday no date has been set for the hearing. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation 7-6 on Monday after a nearly nine-hour hearing, but some 150 people were unable to speak.

Proponents want to see the measure, which would legalize same-sex marriage, gain approval in the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jon Corzine before he leaves office on Jan. 19.

"The overwhelming majority of advocates for and against my bill have focused their arguments on the merits of the legislation and presented them in the appropriate forums - contacting legislators through our district offices or speaking with us at the Statehouse. I thank you all for that. I strongly urge everyone to continue that approach.

Weinberg continued, "It is not appropriate to confront members of the Legislature at their homes or businesses or at private family events in order to engage them on this issue. Please be respectful of us and our families as we have been respectful of your views. And please refrain from passing judgment on the personal religious and moral beliefs of legislators who happen to disagree with your particular belief system.

"We have been scrupulous in treating everyone's personal beliefs with respect and dignity and I believe we have the right to expect the same from our constituents on both sides of this issue. A person's deeply held religious and spiritual beliefs are not fair game for attack by those who hold different beliefs.''

Weinberg concluded, "The conversations between lawmakers and the public will continue as we move forward with the Marriage Equality Act. Whether we agree or disagree with your position, I think everyone involved needs to remember that this is a civil rights issue. It can and should be discussed civilly, and in the appropriate forum."