newjerseynewsroom.com

Proposal would be opposed by Christie

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.cOM

Legalizing gay marriage in New Jersey will be a priority of the Democratic-controlled Legislature this year, Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) declared Monday.

The action, which is not supported by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, was announced on the eve of his third State of the State address and as he attempts to enhance his politically standing nationally campaigning for potential GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Oliver and Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said a bill to legalize gay marriage will be the first measure introduced Wednesday after the Legislature reorganizes Tuesday.

“Democrats are not just committed to economic fairness,” Oliver said. “We are also committed to social fairness. All evidence shows New Jersey's civil union law falls far short in providing equality. Civil unions send a message to the public that same-sex couples and their families are not equal to married couples in the eyes of the law. It sends a message that same-sex couples are not good enough to warrant equality.”

Oliver added, “This is the same wrong message we heard from segregation laws. Separate treatment was wrong then. And separate treatment is wrong now. That’s why I am committed this session to posting marriage equality legislation and making its passage a priority as soon as possible.”

Sweeney, who abstained when the bill was voted down in 2010, is now prepared to support the measure.

“This is about doing what’s right and ensuring full equal and civil rights for all New Jerseyans,” Sweeney said. “Two years ago, I made a mistake in abstaining on marriage equality – a mistake that means same-sex couples continue to be denied the very basic civil right to live their lives as they wish. But today isn’t about me correcting my mistake, it’s about correcting a mistake for thousands of loving couples across the state who want nothing more than to be treated equally as their neighbors.”

Sweeney said he and Senators Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) and Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union) would sponsor the Senate version of the measure.

“Marriage equality is a concept whose time has simply come in New Jersey,” Weinberg said. “Devoted same-sex couples all across New Jersey are raising families and rebuilding communities, yet can’t call their relationships what they really are, a marriage. If love is said to be blind, then so must the state in recognizing that all people should have a right to marry. We must correct an injustice that has hurt far too many loving couples for far too long. This fight is about civil law and civil rights, nothing more and nothing less.”

The bill will be entitled the “Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act.” Sweeney said he would direct the senate Judiciary Committee to put the bill on an expedited hearing schedule so it could be taken up by the full Senate as soon as possible.