Poll: Support for gay marriage up in NJ

365gay.com reports:

"A new poll of registered voters in New Jersey finds there is a 10 point spread in favor of same-sex marriage.

"The survey, by Monmouth University for Gannett newspapers, found 50 percent of voters support marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, while 40 percent said they were opposed.

"In addition, the poll found a similar result when it came to amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage - 50 percent opposing an amendment and 41 percent in favor.

"The release of the poll comes two months after a state mandated review of the New Jersey’s two year old civil union law recommended the legislation be amended to allow for same-sex marriage.

A bill is expected to be taken up by the legislature this year."

In 2006 the state Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples should be afforded the same rights as married couples, but left it up to the legislature to give a name to these relationships. The legislature opted for "civil unions."

However, a state sponsored commission found that those in civil unions were still not being treated equally as married couples with rights being denied them and that the institution of "civil unions" was separate but equal.

New Jersey governor Jon Corzine has said that he would sign a marriage bill if it reached his desk.