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Update: NJ will vote on gay marriage today before full Senate

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | January 5, 2010 at 05:40 pm

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Brian Fritz, 19, of Washington Township in Gloucester County, a gay marriage advocate waiting in line behind Svenden, said a popular vote is the wrong way to address the issue. "If it comes up for a vote, it becomes a battle of cash," he said. "Could you picture voting on whether to ban slavery?" Paul Didio, 18, of Sicklerville, said committed gay couples still lack equal rights, despite the civil union law passed in 2007. "Nobody takes civil unions seriously," he said.

NJ.COM news

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So why vote? As in New York, marriage equality proponents want to get their Senators on record. Already in New York, constituents are lining up and joining forces to vote out of office the “Hate 38,” those Senators who voted against the gay marriage bill. New Jerseyans are looking at the same battle should the measure fail.

New Civil Rights Blog

THURS. UPDATE: See 'Crowds gather at NJ Statehouse to await Senate vote'

and NJ SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS GAY MARRIAGE BILL WILL NOT PASS

One month after the Garden State's Judiciary Committee allowed a gay marriage bill for New Jersey to squeak through in a 7-6 vote, after an exhaustive and exhausting debate of some seven hours, gay marriage will be voted on by a full Senate this Thursday at the Trenton Statehouse.

Despite warnings of many legislators to focus on civil union reform instead, the vote will be on marriage equality, nothing less.

Most assume the vote will be against, as there do not seem to be sufficient votes to pass the bill.

NEW JERSEY ROLLS THE DICE ON GAY MARRIAGE: from the New Civil Rights Blog

Despite widespread popular support of the measure in the Garden State, New Jersey’s Senators have not been will ing to follow the will of the people on this issue. They also face an outgoing Democratic governor, John Corzine, who lost by a significant margin, and an incoming Republican, Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto the bill if it hits his desk and not Corzine’s. Christie takes office at noon on Tuesday, January 19, exactly two weeks from today.
Even on the slight chance the bill passes, the New Jersey General Assembly would have to approve the measure before it could make its way to the Governor. Time is not on their side.

So why vote? As in New York, marriage equality proponents want to get their Senators on record. Already in New York, constituents are lining up and joining forces to vote out of office the “Hate 38,” those Senators who voted against the gay marriage bill. New Jerseyans are looking at the same battle should the measure fail.

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Hugh Askew

at 19:34 on January 5th, 2010

"New Jerseyans are looking at the same battle should the measure fail."

...and if it passes, it will mean a ballot initiative to have the Senate overturned......were it ever signed into law - which won't happen when the new guvner takes office.

(is New Jerseyans a real word?)

Rory Cripps

at 21:09 on January 5th, 2010

The new guvner? Jersey is the bluest of the blue states from what I hear.

Sandy . . . the aurora is rising behind us. And the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open

Like Latin lovers on the shore
Chasin' all them silly New York virgins by the score.

debt (not verified)

at 02:06 on January 6th, 2010

I personally don't care one way or the other if this bill gets passed. I'm just tired of hearing about. Not only for New Jersey, but all of the states that are even considering this law. I hope this Thursday a decision will be made so that people can just move on no matter what the outcome is. I hate it when people continuously beat a dead horse over and over and over again. Make a decision and just be done with it!