New Jersey Reject Same-Sex Marriage

Special Report - January 8, 2010
Yesterday, a bill that would have legalized same-sex “marriage” in the New Jersey was soundly defeated in the state senate. Governor Jon Corzine (D) had promised to sign S1967—Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, if passed before January 19 when Governor-elect Chris Christie (R), who has vocally opposed the measure, will be inaugurated. After an hour and a half of public debate on the Senate floor, the bill failed 20–14, with three members abstaining and two members absent. While one Republican voted in favor of the measure, six Democrats opposed it.

New Jersey enacted a domestic partnership law in 2002, and legalized civil unions in 2006. Pro-homosexual activists have indicated intentions to file a lawsuit to get the State Supreme Court to legalize same-sex “marriage.” They allege that existing laws do not address problems with same-sex couples’ pension benefits and hospital visitation.

This month, New Hampshire joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont in issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Washington, D.C. passed a measure in mid-December to also legalize same-sex “marriage.” This measure will go into effect if Congress fails to veto it within 30 days of passage. That deadline is in a week and a half. New York lawmakers and Maine citizens both rejected similar efforts to legalize same-sex “marriage” in those states last fall. Thirty states have passed constitutional amendments to preserve the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. North Carolina is the only state in the South that has not afforded its citizens the opportunity to vote on a Marriage Protection Amendment.

“More and more, North Carolina sticks out like a sore thumb every year lawmakers deny citizens the opportunity to preserve the definition of marriage in the State Constitution,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “It is not just southern and traditionally red states that are rejecting the radical redefinition of marriage. California, Maine, New York, and now New Jersey recognize the societal benefits and importance of protecting marriage.”

Brooks added, “It is time for North Carolina lawmakers to respect their constituents enough to put a Marriage Protection Amendment on the ballot and give citizens the opportunity to preserve this vital institution through the Constitution.”

Copyright © 2010. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.