Reaction to Marriage Equality passing the Judiciary Committee

by: Jason Springer

Mon Dec 07, 2009 at 10:39:09 PM EST

"I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for allowing a thorough, open discussion on the proposed marriage equality law and approving the bill for action by the full Senate. This is an action that is long overdue. For far too long, a large segment of our population has been denied the fundamental rights and protections of a civil liberty that is granted to all Americans.

"Throughout the history of our nation, New Jerseyans have been among the first to champion the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - from the fight for independence to the civil rights movement. By moving forward with marriage equality, today we have taken a significant step toward adding yet another chapter.

"I am confident that through this process, the marriage equality issue will be recognized for what it truly is - a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law."

"A recent poll conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics determined that only 2% of New Jersey residents believe gay marriage is an important issue.  But to those gay couples in a loving and committed civil union, it is an extremely important issue.  It means they will be able to visit their loved ones in a hospital or make arrangements for their funerals without painful rejection, without questioning and delays caused by doubting Thomases unfamiliar with the meaning of civil unions.

"It means they will get the health and pension benefits they are entitled to without having to hire a lawyer to convince their employers that civil unions convey the same rights and obligations as marriage.  It means they will be treated as human beings should be treated: with love, compassion, understanding and acceptance.

"It is not often we have an opportunity to change society and how we treat each other as human beings.  It occurs a few times in our lifetimes, if it occurs at all.  We have that opportunity today.  We can change fear to love, hate to compassion, cruelty to kindness.