Marriage Equality Now!

by: Jeff Gardner

Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 01:00:00 PM EST

The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting today to hear testimony from opposing sides on the question of whether to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples by way of the Marriage Equality Act. Deja Vu. This time around, it appears that Democrats will be almost universally on the side of equal rights. (Yey!)

But, the big question, today and throughout this year's debates in the Senate and the Assembly, will be: where are the Republicans? Here's hoping enough Republicans will join us on the right side of this issue, the right side of history, and the right side of their own friends and family members - sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren - who are aching for equality.

Because, as I said two years ago, "We're never ever going away. We'll be back year after year, year after year, until we are treated as equals." And today, we're back. So, I say to Governor Christie and legislators, Republican and Democratic: Let's put an end to this. Let's treat all New Jerseyans with the dignity and respect they deserve. Make marriage equality the law of the state. And do it now. You have the power.:

(Video courtesy of my fellow discriminatee, Jay Lassiter, with an assist from our friend, Lori Braunstein, who is a wizard at this kind of thing. Thanks Jay and Lori!)

Jeff Gardner :: Marriage Equality Now!

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Marriage Equality Now! | 4 comments

And as for the Governor's Referendum idea... (4.00 / 1)

I've already started to explain why I am opposed. It's worse than cowardly - it's painfully divisive, regardless of the outcome. And, it would be unfair and unkind to put any minority community through that.

by: Jeff Gardner @ Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 21:59:02 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Agreed and angered (0.00 / 0)

In light of some of the opposition's testimony at yesterday's hearing, if a referendum is enacted, I fear for the LGBT community in New Jersey.

I never experienced such hatred and condemnation at a public hearing (and I'm a veteran of the marriage wars in Albany) - bring it to a public vote and you will see neighbor against neighbor, hateful lawn signs in once tolerant communities, protests, counter-protests and the like.

Pass the bill, get it to the governor's desk and then try for an override, if vetoed. Accepting this referendum serves no one, except the cowardly politicians who support it - and will certainly harm LGBT Jerseyans, their families, their neighbors, and their communities.

by: furiousdee @ Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 19:44:24 PM UTC

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