Check out my latest column on South Brunswick Patch, Marriage Equality: A Message to Christie.
UPDATE: Senate votes 24-16 to support bill S1. Two Republicans — Jennifer Beck and Diane Allen — voted yes; two Democrats — Ronald Rice and Jeff Van Drew — voted no.
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The state Senate is getting ready to vote on bill S1, a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage if signed by the governor.
The Senate, which defeated the bill last time out 20-14, is likely to pass it this time around, thanks to the support of Senate President Stephen Sweeney. The Gloucester County Democrat was in the opposition last time, but has become one of the biggest supporters.
The Democrats control both houses of the Legislature, which means that they can get this through provided they can keep members of their party on board. Plus, there are several Republicans who are viewed as possible allies on the issue — Kip Bateman, Jen Beck — though their votes in recent years belie their supposed open-mindedness.
The first hurdle is today’s Senate vote, followed by a Thursday vote in the Assembly. Passage of the bill. Then it will go to Gov. Chris Christie, who has promised a veto. That would be a mistake on his part. He is on the wrong side of history — last week’s California ruling overturning that state’s gay marriage ban, the pro-marriage-equality vote in Washington state and polling in New Jersey showing support makes it clear that the times are very definitely changing.
He should get on the right side of history.
Newark Mayor Corey Booker offered a rejoinder to Gov. Chris Christie’s call for a public referendum on marriage equality that should put an end to the argument once and for all.
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1
The last vestige of a politician who knows he is on the wrong side of a civil rights issue is to ask for a referendum.
Gov. Chris Christie did just that today, as the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. On the surface, this would seem like a significant concession on his part — polls have shown support in recent years.
But that is not the point. Same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue. Allowing the state to retain an outmoded and religiously based definition of marriage treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens. Pretending to address this issue by offering a public vote on whether gays and lesbians should be treated as equals under the law is cynical and cowardly.
[View the story “The blogosphere reacts to N.J. marriage-equality bill” on Storify]
Hank Kalet 