gay marriage – Page 5

14 Senators to go, and none to spare

Seven state senators voted in favor of marriage equality yesterday; 21 are needed to get it through the Senate and to the Assembly. With Jennifer Beck voting no yesterday, that means supporters of same-sex marriage can only lose one more Democrat — though two are on record as opposing same-sex marriage. The odds are not particularly good, unless Beck or Chip Bateman can be convinced to move from the “no” column to the yes column.

Here is the contact info for potential (and former) fence-sitters:

Sen. Diane B. Allen, Republican
11 West Broad St., Burlington, NJ 08016 (609) 239-2800

Sen. Christopher Bateman, Republican
36 East Main St., Somerville, NJ 08876 (908) 526-3600

Sen. Jennifer Beck, Republican
32 Monmouth St., 3rd Floor, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 933-1591

Sen. John A. Girgenti, Democrat
507 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506 (973) 427-1229

Sen. Paul A. Sarlo, Democrat
207 Hackensack St., 2nd Floor, Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 (201) 804-8118

Sen. Jeff Van Drew, Democrat
21 North Main St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (609) 465-0700
1124 North High St., Millville, NJ 08332 (856) 765-0891
1028 East Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 (856) 696-7109
Additional Phone, Somers Point, NJ (609) 926-3779

Sen. Jim Whelan, Democrat
511 Tilton Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 383-1388

I think this covers everyone, but feel free to add or comment.

Marriage equality clears the first hurdle

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to release the marriage equality bill to the full Senate by a 7-6 vote. Sen. Bill Baroni, a Republican who represents Middlesex and Mercer counties, stayed true to his word and voted to support the bill, which would grant same-sex couples the right to marry but grant religious groups an exemption from being forced to recognized or perform the marriages.

Voting against the bill were the committee’s other four Republicans — including Jennifer Beck, who represents parts of Monmouth and Mercer counties — and two Democrats, the committee chairman, Paul Sarlo, and its vice chairman, John Girgenti.

The religious objections, understandable if left to the religious realm, are inappropriate within a secular context. The Catholic Church — and other religious groups — want to imprint their religious philosophy (or in the case of the church, only a portion of its philosophy, with it weighing in loudly only on abortion and homosexuality, but not the death penalty or poverty issues), which is a violation of the religious rights of other denominations and the secular.

The legislation sponsored in the Senate by Loretta Weinberg and several others and in the Assembly by Reed Gusciora and several others protects the rights of the religious and the rights of same-sex couples and should have been supported by every member of the committee.

Marriage equality is getting closer

It is official: Marriage equality is on the state Senate’s agenda — and if it can get through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, we could be looking at a full Senate vote by Thursday.

Here is the text of the release from Senate President Richard Codey’s office:

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today confirmed that the full Senate will consider bill S1967 – the “Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act”– next week.

“Should the Senate Judiciary Committee approve the bill on Monday, the full Senate will be the first house to consider the bill during a floor vote on Thursday.”

The Senate voting session is scheduled for 2 pm on Thursday, December 10.

The Senate has been the wild card in this, with the Democrats holding just a two-vote cushion (there are 23 Democrats in the 40-member body) and at least four Democrats on the fence. If four Democrats vote against it, that would mean at least two Republican votes would be needed — which appears likely. The Assembly, with 47 votes seems in better shape on this, but it is difficult to know for sure.

So, the advice here is to keep the pressure on. The hearing and potential vote next week are happening because LGBT community and its supporters have worked dilligently to convince legislators to do the right thing. Now is not the time to sit back and count votes.

New York votes down marriage equality

It went down in New York, but there remains hope that marriage-equality can survive a vote in the New Jersey Legislature. Rumors are that it will be heard on Monday, but the Legislature’s schedule doesn’t show the bill — A818, the “Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act” — so we will have to wait and hope.

Quote of the day

Read this quotation from Len Deo, president of the nonprofit New Jersey Policy Council — which opposes marriage equality.

“They don’t have the votes. It would be a real tragedy if it was passed in lame-duck.”

Maybe I’m misreading this, but he seems to be saying that they don’t have the votes, but it could pass — otherwise why would he be wortied about it passing in lame-duck. A bit of hyperbole? Or I’m just tired.