Wasn’t it just three years ago New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine could be heard saying marriage was for just one dude and one gal? Then why’s this bloke going around saying he’s all for same-sex marriage equality? Oh, right, because he wants to be re-elected.
As support for marriage rights spreads like a virus throughout New England (with just one immune candidate left), it’s shifting westward, like some sick real-life civil rights version of 28 Days Laters. As we’ve already seen, New York is losing its mind over the whole thing, and now bigot-filled New Jersey can expect its own show-down.
You wouldn’t be wrong in assuming Democrat Corzine is just playing politics. He is. His opponent in November’s election will be Republican Christopher J. Christie, who’s already promised to veto a same-sex marriage bill. Corzine, meanwhile, has been trumpeting his “evolved” position on gay marriage (as well as hot button left-v-right issues like gun control and abortion) since his campaign officially launched a few weeks ago — though the position switch began before that.
Lest you need reminding, this is the same man who, in 2005 while running for governor the first time, said “the fundamental and traditional view of marriage is between a man and a woman.” He’s also the guy who, in 2006, supported and then signed legislation for civil unions.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
And now Corzine is the fella who says he wants to sign a marriage equality bill pronto.
Interestingly, as the Philadelphia Inquirer points out, Corzine isn’t just backing gay marriage, but actively throwing god into the whole debate. At a gay pride event in Asbury Park earlier this month, Corzine told the crowd, “This is fundamental. It is about what we are about as a country. What we’re about as a people. Human rights, civil rights, are absolutely key. In God’s eyes we’re all one people, and we need to recognize that and behave that way.”
And Corzine just might get his away. After November’s election, and before the newly elected governor would take office, a “lame duck” legislative session is planned — and lawmakers are expected to vote on a marriage bill.
It’s fantastic to have Corzine join lawmakers in supporting marriage equality, but make no mistake: This is a calculated political position. We’re just glad he’s good at math.
mikeandrewsdantescove
Well this is great news as most of the NE states are jumping on board.
Plus, kudos to my home state of Iowa for being the only one in the midwest to do this.
Mike
Sarge Logan
http://jjadams928.blogspot.com/
timncguy
didn’t the supreme court in NJ, when they forced in civil unions, require that a study be done to see if civil unions were in fact “equal”? And, wasn’t that study completed? And, didn’t that study conclude that civil unions were NOT EQUAL? And didn’t the court then tell NJ that they MUST ACT to rectify that inequality since the courts initial decision demanded TOTAL EQUALITY?
Andrew
“…bigot-filled New Jersey…”?? Vapid comments from t.v. show = fact?
sampson
Wow, you guys are sooo bitchy and annoying. Really? This guy came to our side and is being supportive and you’re trashing him? people change their minds you know? I’ve known people in my life that have changed their maind in the last few years. This is a Great way to get more people on our side, by attacking them!
Fitz
I am fully not on board with you bashing someone who grows. We will never get anywhere without reaching people, and to slam them when they come over is idiotic.
alan brickman
They only changing their opinions to save their positions…don’t buy it..
alan brickman
Why don’t they elect someone who was onboard in the first place??
Sean
@sampson: you and Fitz are completely correct. I find it ridiculous that this article doesn’t praise the Governor’s evolving attitude. The article admits that his “position switch began before” launching his reelection campaign, so isn’t it possible that he ACTUALLY BELIEVES in equality?
Calling New Jersey bigot filled, based on offensive comments made on a tv show, in the same article where the author also claims that “support for marriage rights spreads like a virus throughout New England (with just one immune candidate left), it’s shifting westward, like some sick real-life civil rights version of 28 Days Laters” is just idiotic.
DaddyB
“bigot filled New Jersey” is completely off. Statistics show a majority in favor of marriage equality in the Garden State – by a margin higher than nearly all other states. Corzine is doing the right thing and should not be attacked for it. It’s quite possible that his position in 2005 was a “calculated political position” and that his current stance is more reflective of his true beliefs.
frisky
Corzine’s been saying he supports gay marriage since the NJ court decision. not sure how this is news. Except everyone’s all excited because Corzine is in real trouble this year. Well maybe Christie will get elected. I heard he wants to repeal abortion. that’s a step forward.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
That’s so 3 years ago (everyone deserves a change of heart for the better!)
Robert, NYC
@frisky:
That’s correct, he did say that and that he would sign such a bill should it come to his desk for signature. He’s evolving like a lot of others. I don’t care what his past views were even if it means getting re-elected, I’ll gladly let him use my vote to get my full equality. I’d have more respect for any politician who may not agree with it but who would vote for it because its about full rights and equal protection. Personal and religious beliefs have NO place in political decisions nor should they be allowed to interfere in the process. If they do, then that person shouldn’t be in politics.
John K.
First, the Court decision didn’t mandate the study of civil unions; the legislature chose to include the study as part of the civil union law.
Second, Corzine has been pretty consistent on this over the past few years. I wasn’t following these things back in 2005, but I know he’s at least indicated he would sign the bill since two or three years ago. He also said during the presidential primaries and general election cycle that he wanted to wait until his own re-election campaign to move the issue front and center, which he has now done, exactly how he said he would.
I’m definitely tired of politicians supporting us only when it’s convenient for them (most recently, Senator Chris Dodd), but I think Corzine may genuinely have evolved over time, and I can’t fault him for that.
Mike
@sampson: I totally agree. You should welcome his decision, not trash it.
Bruno
Whatever Corzine’s change in stance is or wherever it is now, the fact is he’s a rather unpopular governor that has a huge uphill battle towards getting elected. If marriage equality doesn’t happen in the lame duck session, it may be a loooooong time before it can happen with Christie in office.
queerunity
He supports it now because it is only a matter of time before it becomes law.
http://queersunited.blogspot.com
Qjersey
@John K.:
given my username, let me bitch slap and school our editrix:
Bigot filled NJ: Hmmm, have our editors ever left the hrrmph, “safety” of NYC to visit the rest of NY state?
Before you shoot your mouths off about Jersey here are some facts:
The NJ Supreme court ruled in 1968, a year before Stonewall, that laws banning “homosexual congregation” in establishments that serve alcohol, were unconstitutional.
NJ passed passed statewide protections for LGBs in the EARLY 90’s and in the last few years added transgender and gender expression.
NJ had statewide domestic partnerships, then civil unions.
SCORE: NJ=4, NY=0
Now tell me where the bigots live.
Corzine changed his tune about marriage in 2007, and has said he would sing the bill if our state congress would pass it. However, and this is where he needs to be called out…and often suggested it wait until after the fall elections…in 2008 and now he is saying wait until after the elections in 2009.
Marianne Seggerman
I agree totally with John K – John Corzine was for marriage equality long before he was in trouble politically – and Dodd only saw the light when his career took a hit.
Tony
I am for anyone who is for full equality. I think that Mr. Corzine represents the coming trend many smart politicians will follow. Too bad Obama is to the right of Dick Cheney on LGBT equality issues. Our hope is a dope. Fuck Obama.
Tony
Obama. No Messiah, just a liah….. okaaaay!
schlukitz
Jebus. WFD does it make what Corzine’s reasons are for making the switch.
The point is, he made it and that’s a plus for us. Why the need to bitch slap a person who has become an ally?
Oh, that right. I forgot about page hits.
That gets the advertisers attention, doesn’t it?
And as for NJ. Watch it. It is the home of Tony Soprano, you know? LOL
Peter
ahem… you need a
Jersey
I don’t think, in the end, Corzine is really at risk. We’re a pretty culturally liberal state and I think people here will begin to fear Christie’s conservative stances as we get more info out there, regardless of any fiscal concerns. I hope so at least. And when we get marriage things change in the Jersey household, big wedding plans with family from everywhere. It’ll be a huge bash.
TANK
q: what do you call a smart guy in
bayonne?
a: lost
q: what’s the difference between a
porcupine and a bar on long beach
island?
a: the porcupine has the pricks on the
outside
Alexa
@Qjersey: Exactly.
This is so typical of the new Queerty. It’s sad what’s happened to this site recently.
schlukitz
@TANK:
As an ex-Jersyite, I would have to admit that if a smart guy finds himself in Bayonne, NJ…he is DEFINITELY lost. Lol
Fred Allen, of Allen’s Ally on the Golden days of radio used to say “if you are not in New York, you are definitely out of town.”
;P
polkitician
So the guy is sticking his neck out to make positive reforms that will be permanent. If he’s motivated by his own short-term interest, so what. That’s politics. Get over it.
John K.
@Qjersey: Yeah, disagree that NJ is a “bigoted” state. I can certainly think of about 45 others that are ahead of NJ in the bigot category anyway.
But about Corzine, yeah, conventional wisdom is that this will happen after the election, but he’s certainly talking about it now. He’s not shying away from it going into the election. Now, we can argue about whether he’s only doing that because he thinks it will be a political plus or not, but what he said during the presidential election was that he didn’t want gay marriage to be an issue in NJ during the presidential election, and that the appropriate time to be talking about it was during his re-election campaign (many of us said bullshit at the time, do it now, but that’s water under the bridge at this point). But, Corzine did not say we would have it done before Election Day 2009; he said he would bring the issue front and center during his re-election bid, which he has now done.
Alex
Yeah, this article makes so much sense. Why should Corzine talk about being pro-gay marriage before the election? He should just keep quiet so everyone votes for the guy who will veto a same-sex marriage bill.
Oh wait…
Honestly, this site has somehow incredibly become against gay rights.
schlukitz
@Alex:
Honestly, this site has somehow incredibly become against gay rights
I am glad to learn that I am not the only one who has taken notice of that fact.
Sometimes, it feels like I am sitting in a Church pew and being admonished by the preacher/priest.