New Jersey’s gay marriage bill passed the State Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 7-6 last night; it now heads for a full Senate vote, expected sometime this week. This gives advocates like Garden State Equality reason to believe Jersey might become the next state to enact gay marriage, while everyone else looks on with an “Oh really?” look.
New Jersey’s Gay Marriage Bill Is One Step Closer to Passing (Or, You Know, Failing)
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
terrwill
If Jon Corzine pulls this one off he gets “Gay Icon”
status along with Levi Johnston!! Chris (bag ‘o donuts)
Christie has said he would not support nor sign a Gay
marriage bill. Corzine may drive Maggie (the cunt) Gallager
in a real tizzy if this happens…………
ksu499
I hope they’ve done some objective polling of the population on A) support of a referendum overturning a favorable action by the legislature and B) on attitudes toward same-gender marriage in general. Unless at least 60% of an unbiased polling sample supports same-gender marriage, it will go the way of Maine and CA. Would that all states were like CT, where the legislature passed a law recognizing same-gender marriage and the Catholic Church couldn’t drum up any support for a referendum overturning it.
Robert, NYC
I predict it will fail. There aren’t enough secured votes in the state senate to pass it. Another New York style defeat and a the third victory for Maggie Gallagher and the roman cult on the east coast. Expect Michael Letterman, a so called “straight” anti marriage equality hater who trolls gay blogsites to rub our faces in it as he has with New York’s and Maine’s recent defeats. Ignore the neanderthal, don’t let him bait you.
terrwill
No. 3 · Robert, NYC: Amen, ignore the children acting out
for attention and they will give up and find another
toy (site) to play with…………
Chance
KSU – there is some good news. The reason people are so optimistic about New Jersey is that there is no “people’s veto.” The initiative/referendum process in NJ is not driven by petition – voters cannot get a measure on the ballot. Any referendums have to go through the legislature.
You’re right, though. A marriage victory isn’t likely, much less secure unless 60% of voters support equality. Legislators simply won’t risk their jobs that way. And if they do, they’ll be thrown out in exchange for legislators who will either overturn it or get a referendum on the ballot.
And the trouble is, the latest Quinnipiac shows 49-46 against. So don’t book the chapel yet.
Robert, NYC
Terrwill, yep. I think Letterman isn’t even straight, probably one of those self loathers, an ex-gay, don’t you? Any sane, rational straight who is secure and comfortable with his or her orientation wouldn’t troll gay blogsites or feel threatened by us, lets face it. There is so much truth in that old saying…”those who protest too much”, don’t you think? If I were anti straight, I wouldn’t go trolling their sites would you? Its also revealing that we get very very few straights coming in here, just the odd wacko like this one.
Chance
And sadly, maybe the only reason that Connecticut held on to marriage long enough to learn to like it, is that CT also does not allow ballot initiatives.
Iowa is the same.
And New Hampshire.
And Vermont.
Oh well.
Robert, NYC
Chance, New York is the same, but look what happened.
Chance
And in New York, the senators weren’t willing to risk their jobs. You have to think locally – the politicians sure are.
Robert, NYC
Well, its now up to us do our best to make sure that most of them don’t get elected next November, and those who waiver or aren’t committed, let them know they will get not one single penny during their campaigns. Money is the only language they understand.
naghanenu
I hope it passes…its time to get on your knees and pray people
Its up to God now
Chance
Nag – I’d feel better if we kept it out of his hands and took it into our own. Change the voters’ minds. Effect their campaigns, like Robert said. Spend your day doing that and we might win. Spend your day praying and you’ll have sore knees.
terrwill
I have to admit one of my main reasons I hope this passes
is to totally fuck up Maggie (the cunt) Gallagher’s Holidays!
Bruno
@Chance: There is a possibility people will vote on marriage equality at some point if the legislature initiates it. So far, they haven’t done that, but if GOP’s get in be sure they will. It’ll make prop 8 look tame, as the people would reverse marriages that have existed there for YEARS.
Bruno
Oops, meant to specify above I’m talking about Iowa.
HellIsWaiting
If the full NJ Senate votes along the same percentages along the same partisan divide as the committee… The final vote could be 20 to 20, a tie. Run the numbers yourself.
reluctantcommenter
@Bruno : do you think that’s exactly what we need? i know it would cause a lot of suffering, but we need organizations like NOM to expose themselves as full blown bigots. i could see stripping rights away from long-since married couple functioning in a way similar to the beatings in selma and birmingham during civil rights. it could shock a portion of the country into supporting equal rights. just a thought.
Robert, NYC
Bruno, after California, Maine, New York and probably New Jersey, if that were ever to happen, you can bet that will be a recipe for some civil unrest among the LGBT voting bloc. Exactly what we need to do. All of this political correctness hasn’t worked. We also need to be united in going after the right wing religious cults, nail them once they cross the line meddling in politics as well as get their tax exempt status yanked for starters. No representation with taxation is unacceptable, while the cults get a free hand, no taxes at OUR expense. No more, I say.
J. Clarence
The title reflects the reality that gay people have become so used to the two steps forward, three steps back trend we have been seeing.
I’m happy NJ has made it this far, but I’ll celebrate once you know it actually survives a state-wide vote. Which if it passes we know will be the next step.
naghanenu
Hi Chance,
Never under estimate the power of the Lord. You never know. I, for one, will be glad that it passes. Whatever some people’s views of gay marriage is.. families all need the protections and benefits that marriage gives.
You have my prayers and my support
FakeName
New Jerseyans can find their representatives by entering their ZIP code here: http://www.gardenstateequality.org/contactofficials.html