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New Jersey Assembly Committee Could Take Up Marriage Bill January 4

After a tumultuous week for New Jersey's marriage equality bill (not being heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee, then finally being heard, and then squeaking out of the committee for a full Senate vote, then the vote being canceled so that the Assembly can take it on, then the Assembly saying it doesn't know if it'll take up the marriage bill), a bit of good news has come out of Trenton today.

(See prior posts on New Jersey marriage equality bill)

The Star-Ledger is reporting that the Assembly Judiciary Committee could add the marriage bill to its schedule shortly after the holidays.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), said the earliest it would appear in the Assembly Judiciary committee is Jan. 4, which would give the issue "a rest until after the Christmas holiday."

"It's their desire to have it the first week in January," he said.

But Gusciora said "anything was subject to change" in Trenton, acknowledging a plan to put the bill to a full vote in the Senate was scrapped earlier this week when there were not enough votes to pass it.

Assembly Judiciary Committee chair Linda Greenstein could not confirm the date for the hearing.

"At this time nothing has been scheduled," said Derek Roseman, a spokesman for Assembly Democrats.

The full Assembly is scheduled to have two voting sessions that same week.

Though nothing is official, it's good that they're considering a "when" and not an "if."

Supporters of the bill need to have it pass both houses before Gov. Jon Corzine leaves office January 19 to receive is guaranteed signature because his replacement, Chris Christie, doesn't care for LGBT rights at all.

New Jersey Assembly Has No Date Set For Marriage Equality Bill Hearing

The clock is ticking before pro-LGBT Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey leaves office January 19, and still the state's marriage equality bill seems no closer to reaching his desk for his guaranteed signature.

Earlier this week, after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee, sponsors pulled the bill from Thursday's schedule before being voted on by the full Senate when it became clear they did not have the 21 votes needed for passage. However, they said they wanted the Assembly Judiciary Committee to have its chance to hear testimony and to vote themselves on the legislation.

New Jersey's Star-Ledger did a survey of the Senators and found that 13 supported the bill, 18 opposed and 9 were undecided or chose not to indicate their position.

"I can’t in any way, shape or form guarantee them [Assembly members] that it will pass at this point," said Senate President Dick Codey, who was handicapping the bill’s chances of passage in the Senate if it wins approval in the Assembly, reports North Jersey.

[Garden State Equality] also was embarrassed by a series of pro-gay-marriage rallies at legislators’ homes and work sites, and in the case of Republican Minority Leader Thomas H. Kean Jr., showing up at his 11-year-old daughter’s piano recital Tuesday.

Several senators bristled at the tactics, saying that the group had gate-crashed into the lawmakers’ privacy zones.

"Would you want them on your property?" replied Sen. Shirley Turner, a Mercer County Democrat who was not expected to vote for the bill. She said the incident only "further entrenched" her opposition.

[Steven] Goldstein issued an apology to Kean that was posted on political Web sites, saying he was "sickened" by the protest, and that he did not authorize it.

The Star-Ledger also reports that the Assembly Judiciary Committee has no hearing date scheduled. Though rules allow Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, a supporter of the bill, to schedule a hearing as early as Monday, he said, "But I must emphasize that no hearing has been scheduled and that I am continuing to discuss this issue with our caucus to gauge whether there is enough support for it."

ACTION: Go to Garden State Equality to find out how you can get involved!

POLL: Majority of Catholics in New Jersey Support Marriage Equality

Despite the ongoing efforts of the Catholic Church's leadership in New Jersey, a new poll released today finds that a majority of the Garden State's Catholics support marriage equality. 48% support, while 40% oppose and 12% are undecided. This is big news given that 37% of New Jersey is Catholic.

The breakdown of the poll is rather interesting but not surprising. Those who indicated they were Catholic and attended mass at least once a week, 54% opposed while 37% favored; if they attended once a month, 35% opposed while 46% favored.

"As with several social issues, many Catholics support a more liberal public policy than does the Church itself," said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll and professor of political science at Rutgers University. "Given that Catholics comprise the largest religious group in the state, this makes a difference in overall support for gay marriage in New Jersey, especially since a majority of Protestants — many of whom are Evangelicals — oppose the bill."

Evangelical or "born-again" Protestants opposed marriage equality by a margin of 55% to 35%, with 11% undecided.

Another religious group with an encouraging majority. Jewish respondents supported 56% to 40% with 4% undecided.

Least shocking, those not affiliated with any religion support marriage equality 85% to 10% with 5% undecided.

The poll of 903 New Jersey adults was fielded November 6-10 and has a margin of error of 3.3 percent.

Recently, the sponsors of the state's marriage equality bill requested that the Senate delay its vote so that the Assembly could hold its own public hearing and vote in its Judiciary Committee.

I would like to bet that this poll will grab the legislature's attention. Despite what the bill's sponsors may say, it's rather obvious the votes are not solidified in either chamber of the state's legislature. Now with the vote delayed, hopefully they'll have time to review the poll that indicates that some of the bill's biggest objectors, who belong to people of faith groups and in particular the influential Catholics, are a minority within their own demographic.

ACTION: Go to Garden State Equality to find out how you can get involved!

New Jersey Senate to Delay Marriage Equality Vote

The Star-Ledger is reporting that Thursday's vote on marriage equality in the New Jersey senate will be delayed. The bill's two main sponsors, Sens. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) say that instead, the Assembly Judiciary Committee will take up the bill in preparation for a full vote in the lower house.

Lesniak believes that both houses of the state legislature will still vote on it before pro-marriage equality Gov. Jon Corzine leaves office on January 19. He also said that the delay is not because they don't have the votes but because they want to the Assembly to engage in the issue and to hear testimony from both sides of the issue just like the Senate Judiciary Committee did on Monday. He believes this is only fair.

Star Ledger reports that senators have been deluged with phone calls from in and out of state but opponents and supports of marriage equality.

"Most of us have spent the last week, even just alone in our district offices fielding questions and speaking to folks, advocates and detractors of the gay marriage bill about this issue," said Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), who said he will vote against the bill.

"But 99 percent of our attention should be turned towards creating a state government that works, figuring how in God's name we're going be able to balance the budget next year."

ACTION: Go to Garden State Equality to find out how you can get involved!

New Jersey Native Bruce Springsteen Speaks Out for Marriage Equality; Success of Marriage Bill Called Into Question

With his state's senate scheduled to vote on the New Jersey marriage equality bill Thursday, one of the most well-known names to come out of the Garden State, Bruce Springsteen, has spoken up in favor of civil rights for LGBT citizens.

On his website, "The Boss" wrote:

Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, "The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law." I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now.

The New Jersey marriage equality bill is on thin ice. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Two days before the New Jersey Senate was scheduled to consider a bill to allow same-sex marriage, some area legislators were reticent yesterday to reveal how they would vote.

Dana Redd (D., Camden), who will resign her Senate seat next month to become mayor of Camden, has decided but isn't telling, she said at a Camden City Council meeting last night.

James Beach (D., Camden) hadn't made up his mind, an aide said. And Stephen Sweeney and Fred Madden (both D., Gloucester) did not respond to repeated calls seeking their positions on the issue.

The bill, known officially as the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, squeaked through the Judiciary Committee in a 7-6 vote Monday after nine hours of testimony and debate. The Senate will consider it tomorrow.

"It's an uphill fight, but there is a chance for victory," said sponsor Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen).

-------

No matter what the outcome, tomorrow's vote on the proposal will have national implications, Dworkin said.

"Each side will take what it can from victory or defeat and mobilize based on it," he said. "It just pushes everyone to the next battleground."

We already know that the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has been swamping the state with radio ads and more, urging for the senate to vote against the bill and encouraging anti-LGBT citizens to call for a public referendum. Garden State Equality has had their own ads airing.

On Tuesday, NOM issued a statement (see it on their website if you wish), telling the senate not to "mess with marriage" and claiming that they have spent $600,000 in the Garden State fighting LGBT rights.

Maggie Gallagher says, "New Jersey voters and politicians have given a great deal to Garden State Equality in the last few years, including full civil unions. Steven Goldstein has boasted that New Jersey is one of the best states for gay rights in the country, thanks to his organization's efforts. Why are they insisting on the right to redefine marriage, whether or not the people of New Jersey like it?"

ACTION: Go to Garden State Equality to find out how you can get involved!

VIDEO: New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Marriage Bill 7-6

From Blue Jersey, who blogged the public hearing live.

The New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee approved the marriage equality bill by a vote of 7-6, with amendments. Two Democrats voted no, while one Republican, Bill Baroni, voted yes. A vote on final passage in the full Senate is expected to be held on Thursday.

Also, thanks to Blue Jersey, I have how each senator voted:

NO - Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen): Chairman, opponent of marriage equality. Doesn't have a law degree.
NO - John Girgenti (D-Passaic): Vice Chairman
YES - Nia Gill (D-Essex): Black Senator from Montclair, a diverse college town with a large gay population. Strong supporter of marriage equality
YES - Ray Lesniak (D-Union): Sharp, articulate lawmaker who led the fight to abolish the death penalty in New Jersey. Strong supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Nick Scutari (D-Union): a supporter of marriage equality.
YES - Bob Smith (D-Middlesex): a supporter of marriage equality. Smith represents a liberal district in Central NJ which includes New Brunswick and Piscataway.
YES - Brian Stack (D-Hudson): a supporter of marriage equality. Stack is also mayor of Union City, and an powerful Hudson County political boss.
YES - Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen): the sponsor of the bill and a progressive stalwart in the legislature.
YES - Bill Baroni (R-Mercer): very smart, well-liked Republican, and a supporter of marriage equality
NO - Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset)
NO - Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth): a wild card, and an up-and-comer in the Republican party.
NO - Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen): probably the most outspoken opponent on the committee. A dentist by trade; has no law degree.
NO - Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth): former R party chair, probably an opponent.

Supporter Gov. Jon Corzine, who has pledged to sign a marriage bill if it reaches his but will be replaced by anti-gay Republican Chris Christie in January, said in response:

I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for allowing a thorough, open discussion on the proposed marriage equality law and approving the bill for action by the full Senate. This is an action that is long overdue. For far too long, a large segment of our population has been denied the fundamental rights and protections of a civil liberty that is granted to all Americans.

Throughout the history of our nation, New Jerseyans have been among the first to champion the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - from the fight for independence to the civil rights movement. By moving forward with marriage equality, today we have taken a significant step toward adding yet another chapter.

I am confident that through this process, the marriage equality issue will be recognized for what it truly is - a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.

Senate committee hears emotional testimony on same-sex marriage bill

Senate judiciary committee vote to approve same-sex marriage bill

First image: Matt Rainey/The Star-Ledger. See his slide show of hearing.

David Badash of The New Civil Rights Movement has more audio of testimony.

ACTION ALERT! Today New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee Votes on Marriage Equality

UPDATE: The debate has begun and you can listen live here and stay updated with Blue Jersey's live blogging.

If you live in New Jersey, call the following senators who are on the Senate Judiciary Committee. They vote today on the state's marriage equality bill beginning at 1pm EST. The bill will go to the full senate on Thursday.

Sen. Paul Sarlo (Chair): (201) 804-8118
Sen. John Girgenti (Vice-Chair): (973) 427-1229
Sen. Bill Baroni: (609) 631-9988
Sen. Christopher Bateman: (908) 526-3600
Sen. Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591
Sen. Gerard Cardinale: (201) 567-2324
Sen. Nia Gill: (973) 509-0388
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos: (732) 671-3206
Sen. Raymond Lesnick: (908) 624-0880
Sen. Nicholas Scutari: (908) 587-0404
Sen. Bob Smith: (732) 752-0770
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 861-5091
Sen. Loretta Weinberg: (201) 928-0100

Go to Garden State Equality to get more action alerts!

Supporters for marriage equality rallied in state's capital of Trenton and New Jersey's Star-Ledger hopes their cause succeeds.

Senators are busy calculating the politics on this, and some will base their vote on that. They admit that in private.

Our hope, though, is that senators take the long view this week and ask themselves how they will feel 25 years from now, when gay marriage will likely be a fact of life. Which side were they on?

Supporters of this cause can take some comfort, no matter what happens this week. Gays have come a long way in New Jersey.

(H/T Good As You)

More Protests in New York City Over Failed Marriage Bill; Pro- and Anti-Marriage Equality Forces Face Off in New Jersey Rally

Last night Gov. David Paterson, Sen. Tom Duane, NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and more showed up to the second protest in two nights, this time at Union Square.

Andy Towle of Towleroad guessed that possibly more than a thousand people showed up to voice their dissatisfaction with New York's senate voting down the marriage bill 24-38. A bill that had passed the Assembly three times. A bill on which eight democratic senators, who have their jobs because of major LGBT support, voted against.

Yeah, I'd be protesting, too.

Sen. Tom Duane rightfully gets "angry at the betrayal."

The crowd.

Joe.My.God said of the rally and the forthcoming backlash:

Throughout the crowd and from the stage, threats of retribution rained down on the "Hate 38," the Senators that voted against equality. Particular scorn was heaped upon the eight traitorous Democrats, whose faces adorn many placards and who were named and shamed from the microphone. Hearty cheers went up whenever our new heroes like Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson were mentioned. The crowd was instructed about the coming 2010 elections and the NYC seats now in everyone's crosshairs. The evening was definitely not another useless venting of rage, as these things are often characterized.

Joe Sudbay takes the topic of retribution and runs with it at AmericaBlog as well as Crain's Insider.

John R. Bohrer of Blue Jersey has done a great podcast on what is going down in New Jersey. Due to massive lobbying coordinated by Garden State Equality, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the New Jersey marriage bill Monday. It must get through them before it goes to the full senate. If it does, the full senate will vote Thursday



Read the New Jersey's Star-Ledger's editorial, "Gay marriage: Equality poses no threat to marriage or religion."

ACTION: From Garden State Equality.

Images of New York by Andy Towle

New Jersey Marriage Bill To Be Considered By Essential Senate Committee Monday

After New York's failure to pass its marriage equality bill, the prospects of New Jersey passing its own have dimmed even more than before. Yet thankfully, this hasn't stopped the local advocates and our supporters in the Senate.

NJ.com is reporting that the Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the proposal and vote on it Monday. Without this committee's approval, the bill won't make it to the full Senate for a vote.

"On Monday in the Judiciary Committee, we're going to vote on marriage equality," [Sen. Ray] Lesniak (D-Union) said, while making the announcement to a crowd of more than 650 gay marriage supporters on the Statehouse steps today.

"On Thursday (Dec. 10) the full Senate is going to vote on marriage equality," said Lesniak, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "And God be willing, we'll have 21 votes."

Recently, Sen. Paul Sarlo, who chairs the committee, said ". . . we do not have the votes in the Judiciary Committee," said Sarlo. "Until somebody can demonstrate that we have the votes in the Judiciary Committee, it will not be posted."

Hopefully now that they plan on taking up the proposal, it indicates that things have shifted and the votes may now be secure.

Also, Senate President-elect Steve Sweeney though has left the door open for a full vote.

ACTION: From Garden State Equality


Image: AP Photo/Mel Evans

Possible Marriage Equality Votes in New York and D.C. Today; New Jersey Dems Sign Letter Urging For Vote

New York

According to the Times Union report yesterday, "The Senate is prepared to hold the long-delayed vote on gay marriage if the deficit reduction package can be put to bed in time tomorrow. Since the bill would pass in extraordinary session, the Assembly would have to debate and vote on the measure despite the fact that it passed marriage equality legislation months ago."

But Elizabeth Benjamin of the New York Daily News says that the deal on the budget may be falling apart, resulting in the marriage vote to be put on hold yet again. Shock.

(H/T Towleroad)


Washington D.C.

D.C. Council is poised to take the first of two scheduled votes on Council member Catania's marriage bill today. 10 of the 13 council members are co-sponsors, so it is expected to pass.

The bill has faced stiff opposition from the Archdiocese of Washington who threatened to end their charitable work in the district if it passed. Since the church receives public funds due to contracts with the city, they said they would be forced to give benefits to gay employees' spouses and objected. The Council has tried to find a common ground with the church but has not given any indication that a lack of resolution would keep them from passing marriage equality.


Read Richard Cohen's Washington Post article, "A Right to Say 'I Do.'"


New Jersey

It's been looking bleak for marriage equality in what was once a big possibility in the Garden State. However, the AP reports today:

Some 200 prominent New Jersey Democrats are urging the Legislature to vote on a gay marriage bill.

The Democrats , including members of Congress, fundraisers and lobbyists , released a letter to leaders in the Senate and Assembly Tuesday demanding the bill be voted up or down before the lame-duck session ends in January.

The letter reads:

We believe that equality and fairness are fundamental principles of New Jersey's Democratic Party, and that is why we call on the state legislature to vote immediately on, and pass, the marriage equality bill.

New Jersey has a proud history of supporting civil rights. It was this legacy that encouraged many of us to become involved in politics. We believe that allowing committed gay and lesbian couples to marry is, at its core, about treating our family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors with dignity and respect.

We appreciate that this is a difficult issue for some state legislators. But marriage equality is an idea whose time has come. We are confident that the voters will stand by those elected officials who do the right thing.

When our children and grandchildren look back on this moment, we want to be able to tell them that we, too, did the right thing.

As Martin Luther King poignantly reminded us, "the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." That is why we're proud to lend our names and our voices to this important cause. We do so in our capacity as private citizens and Democratic voters, and not on behalf of any particular office or organization.

"The letter to Democratic legislators was signed by a combination of veteran party leaders, young staffers, major fundraisers, political consultants and operatives, and local elected officials," reports the PolitickerNJ, who has a full list of signers, which include Newark Mayor Cory Booker and U.S. Reps. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Steven Rothman.

ACTION: Garden State Equality has called for a major lobby day on December 3.

In a related story, the AP has written about the unusual involvement of conservative Orthodox Jewish rabbis who have decided to get involved in the New Jersey marriage equality debate, voicing strong opposition to the same-sex marriage bill.

"Black Day" For Marriage Equality in New Jersey

New Jersey's Star-Ledger isn't backing away from painting a bleak picture of marriage equality's prospects in the Garden State.

In a story issued today, they report that support for the marriage equality bill is plummeting, calling legislators "scared herd animals" who run from an issue even if only one of them get skittish.

"I can’t say I’m confident now," Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a lead sponsor, told the Star-Ledger. "I think we still have a pretty good chance. But people are getting nervous and weak-kneed."

But this is all spin, says the story. Basically, the bill is dead.

"They’ve lost the momentum," says Sen. Kip Bateman, a Republican who once considered supporting the bill. "I don’t think it’s going to happen."

"So mark this as a black day for the cause of gay rights in New Jersey," reports the Star-Ledger. "Marriage equality was supposed to be the big prize, the final measure of respect, a sign that gay families were indeed equal under the law."

Why?

Despite valiant efforts from Garden State Equality, the state's largest LGBT advocacy group, the Catholic Church has flexed its mighty arm. They hold a lot of sway with the legislature since 40% of New Jersey is Catholic.

Not only did church leadership have its priests throughout the state give the same homily on the same Sunday against same-sex marriage, the bishops recently had their priests read and distribute a letter denouncing marriage equality and instructing parishioners to pray that the state legislature would not vote on the bill. 150,000 parishioners signed a petition in opposition.

New Jersey Bishop Letter Against Marriage Equality

(See a Catholic Church bulletin at Good As You)

On top of this, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has made its presence known in New Jersey for some time, recently launching an ad campaign against the marriage bill. Also, a turn in the polls against marriage equality, an about face from past support, has also shook up politicians as well as the ouster of pro-marriage equality Gov. Jon Corzine. Governor-elect Chris Christie is adamantly against LGBT rights.

The loss in Maine, a very secular state, also appears to be the death knell for many advances in marriage equality in other states.

When Senate president-elect Steve Sweeney indicated that the senate should focus on economic issues, despite the fact that the senate has no economic bills to consider, it was a signal to the rest to drop support.

"Politicians better realize the gay community is looking around and taking note as to who is supporting advancement of our equality and who is just saying one thing and doing another," Timothy Beauchamp of AmericaBlog writes. "It isn't a threat. It's a promise."

"Many of us in the progressive movement just want to throw up," says Steve Goldstein of Garden State Equality. "Democrats put out one hand out to ask for money, and with the other they stab you in the back."

ACTION: The door is not officially closed on the bill. Go to Garden State Equality and find out how you can help get the bill to the senate floor.

They have also announced a lobby day.

At the direct request of state legislators who support marriage equality, Garden State Equality and our organizational allies are doing another lobby day -- on Thursday, December 3rd in Trenton beginning at 8:00 am.

Thursday, December 3rd at 8:00 am, we'll meet at Garden State Equality's office at 110 West State Street in Trenton, across from the State House. From there we'll do a public march to the State House, where we'll have a hospitality room to serve free breakfast and then free lunch.

We're now at the tipping point of history: Every event we do must have unbelievable turnout, just like the previous lobby day that influenced legislators tremendously. That's why legislators have requested we do another. Please attend if you possibly can.

Forward this email to your family, friends and congregational and organizational colleagues, and to any blogs and list servs of which you are a member.

Questions? Contact Hannah Johnson, Garden State Equality's Field Director, at Johnson@GardenStateEquality.org or cell (920) 222-1878.

New Poll Shows Support for Marriage Equality in New Jersey Dropping, Tug-O-War Continues

Just last week, a Rutgers-Eagleton poll showed New Jersey residents supporting the marriage equality bill by a 46 - 42% margin but with a slice of 12% still unsure.

A new poll released today from Quinnipiac University, conducted Nov. 17 and Nov. 22, reverses these results and one from earlier this year in April, now indicating that by a slim 49 - 46% margin, New Jersey voters oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to marry. The Quinnipiac poll in April showed support with a 49 - 43% margin.

Voters were asked, "Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married?" (Click on images to enlarge)

Women support same-sex marriage 53 - 41 percent, while men oppose it 57 - 38 percent. White voters split 49 - 47 percent, while black voters oppose the measure 61 - 28 percent.

Among voters who do support same-sex marriage, 74 percent say the State Legislature should pass the measure now, so Gov. Jon Corzine can sign it.

"When we asked about gay marriage in April, it won narrow approval. Now that it seems closer to a legislative vote, it loses narrowly with the public," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The biggest drop is among independent voters, who backed the measure 50 - 41 percent in April. And opposition among men spiked from 48 - 44 percent opposed to 57 - 38 percent."

"If the State Legislature is going to pass it, voters say, do it while Gov. Jon Corzine - a supporter - is still in office. Governor-elect Christopher Christie has said he'd veto it."

The poll goes on to ask an interesting question regarding uber-conservative governor-elect Chris Christie and how he should select state Supreme Court justices, particularly when it comes to controversial issues.

It's a shame that it is, but it appears marriage equality is controversial. Go figure.

One of the more disheartening aspects of this poll is the big drop in support from independent voters. It's hard to determine if this shift is the result of Maine and the message that came from Question 1 passing, or if it's because now that marriage equality can become an actuality in New Jersey, voters balk at the idea. Or maybe it's both?

The AP thinks it's Maine, declaring, "The state-to-state march to legalize gay marriage across the left-leaning Northeast has lost more momentum since a major setback three weeks ago at the ballot box in Maine."

Of course Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), whose organization launched a major campaign against the marriage bill Monday, told the AP, "If they are unable to pass gay marriage in New York and New Jersey, combined with the loss in Maine, it will confirm that gay marriage is not the inevitable wave of the future."

But Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry disagrees. "In any civil rights struggle there are going to be periods of creeping and periods of leaping."

"If this goes down in both states, it will be seen by both sides as building on the momentum that opponents sort of got coming out of Maine," said David Masci, a senior researcher at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

Steven Goldenstein of Garden State Equality, the state's largest LGBT advocacy group, acknowledges they may have lost support in the New Jersey's capital of Trenton, but asks, "Was marriage equality in the bag before the election? Nothing in politics is ever in the bag, but we were looking pretty damn excellent."

Whatever the cause of support dropping, there's a lot of work to be done in New Jersey and very little time to do it. Gov. Jon Corzine, who has promised to sign the marriage bill if it reaches his desk, will have to leave office in January and be replaced by Christie, who is not a fan of the LGBT population.

On Monday, legislators met for the first time during the lame duck session and Democratic leaders met to discuss the marriage bill but made no decisions. Meanwhile they faced a large crowd of marriage equality supporters rallying for its passage.

However, opponents say that despite the difficulty of getting an initiative on the ballot in New Jersey, they vow to accomplish just that if the bill is passed in order to give voters a chance to have a final say on the matter.

ACTION: Now more than ever, New Jersey needs your help. Go to Garden State Equality and find out how you can get involved.

Image: Mel Evans/The Associated Press, Trenton rally

New Jersey Heats Up As Over 250 Rally at the Capitol Monday to Push For Marriage Equality Bill Vote

Yesterday, I reported from the news I received on the ground that hundreds of marriage equality supporters rallied at Statehouse in New Jersey's capital of Trenton.

The rally, organized by the state's largest LGBT advocacy group Garden State Equality, had over 250 people reports the NJ Politiker.

Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality took a megaphone and proclaimed to the crowd, "If the Democrats don't enact marriage equality now, after years of telling us to wait, it will cause a huge schism between the state Democratic party and its entire progressive base," he added. "And it could change the political landscape of New Jersey permanently."

This is a great video from Jay Lassiter covering yesterday's rally.



The intent of the rally was to encourage state Democrats to pass marriage equality legislation so that pro-LGBT Gov. Jon Corzine can sign the bill before he leaves office in January. Governor-elect Chris Christie is adamantly opposed to same-sex marriage and has promised to veto the bill if it comes to him. His election has discouraged lawmakers from passing it as well as the passing of Question 1 in Maine. However, a recent poll showed a small majority of New Jersey resident support marriage rights for their LGBT fellow citizens.

However, both Sen. Paul Sarlo who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee and current Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, who was just elected Senate President by his peers Monday, both oppose taking up the marriage bill at this time. Yet bill co-sponsor Sen. Loretta Weinberg is still hopeful.

She "insisted the gay marriage bill isn't dead," reports the Asbury Park Press. "She said discussions would continue, tamping down persistent chatter that the measure lacks support to pass. Legislative leaders have said they won't post the bill for a vote unless it has at least 21 votes in the Senate and 41 in the Assembly."

The New York Times reported about Monday:

But Senate Democrats met to discuss the measure on Monday and — despite intense lobbying from a coalition of gay-rights advocates and other groups — did not schedule it for a vote, because they appeared unable to muster the 21 votes needed to pass it. A few Republicans have said they may support the bill, but several of the 23 Democrats have expressed reservations about it. Senator Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the bill, who spent the fall campaigning as Mr. Corzine’s running mate, said that despite her colleagues’ post-election apprehensions, she believed that lawmakers would make New Jersey the latest state to legalize gay marriage.

“This is an issue of fairness,” she said. “It’s not like we’re going to miss out on a chance to fix the economy during the lame-duck session because we’re spending a couple of hours debating this. It is a matter of civil rights.”

Though civil unions are legal in New Jersey, a state-commissioned study showed that the institution is not adequate and that those in unions are not treated equally to married couples. It was this report that sparked the marriage bill creation.

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has already been airing radio ads against the legislation but have just released a new one Monday with $500,000 spent to blast the state with it, along with direct mailers, telephone calling and online advertising. (H/T Good As You)



Jeremy at Good As You says it best, "So disgustingly misleading. We're not talking about days of debate and scores of resources. In a state where the high court has already demanded equality, and where the legislatively-implemented civil unions have failed to live up to that promise, the debate over whether or not to bump up the C.U. system to full equality should be a no-brainer."

You would think.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church leadership organized their Garden State priests to simultaneously give the same homily against marriage equality. No doubt the $2 million they have set aside to fight LGBT citizens' right to marriage will be used in New Jersey.

Garden State Equality has fought back with sharp ads of their own which caused a stir the day after Question 1 passed in Maine.

ACTION: Get involved. Go to Garden State Equality to find out how.

ACTION ALERT! Will They or Won't They? Urgent Need to Lobby New Jersey Legislators for Marriage Equality Monday!

UPDATE: The Star-Ledger is reporting that 300 marriage equality proponents have shown up today in front of the Statehouse on the first day of the lame duck session.

Original post 11/20/09

New Jersey. What a roller coaster lately.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine said he'll sign a marriage equality bill if it hit his desk. The legislature looked willing and ready. But -

Corzine didn't win re-election and Republican and staunch LGBT opponent Chris Christie won. So now we're in the lame duck session and racing against the clock.

Immediately after elections, Garden State Equality releases ads in hopes of encouraging supporters to call their legislatures to vote in favor of marriage equality.

But there's some hurdles. State Sen. Paul Sarlo, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said at the beginning of the week that he didn't think the marriage bill would come up.

"Today, as I stand here, we do not have the votes in the Judiciary Committee," said Sarlo. "Until somebody can demonstrate that we have the votes in the Judiciary Committee, it will not be posted."

But according to the Star-Ledger, Sen. Steve Sweeney, who will soon take over as Senate President, is leaving the door open. Probably encouraged by yesterday's poll that showed a majority of New Jerseyans supporting marriage equality. (Though I usually fear a Bradley Effect when it comes to gay issues and polls, New Jersey has been consistent in its support.)

"I would like there to be more discussion about the economy, that’s all. Gay marriage will likely come up in lame duck. I expect it to come up," Sen. Sweeney said.

So we know we're possibly back up and running, at least with a better chance.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, shares the Star-Ledger's frustration, whose editorial board says same-sex marriage supporters in the legislature need to grow a spine and "man up."

"I’ve campaigned all over the state, and based on my unscientific poll, people in New Jersey don’t care about other people’s marriages," Weinberg says. "I’ve never had a single person bring this up to me. And I’m talking about street fairs, restaurants, wherever. People care about their own marriages, and their ability to support their families."

ACTION: So the time is now folks, and Garden State Equality ain't messin' around.

Urgent! Join us: Garden State Equality is holding an urgent lobby day this Monday, November 23rd, beginning at 8:30am - Meet at our Trenton office across from the State House, 110 West State St. Please attend. No RSVP necessary.

The legislature is back in session on Monday. We have just learned our anti-marriage equality opponents are doing a lobby day on Monday and are turning out in droves to try to intimidate legislators. If ever there was a time to take off from work to help make history, this is it.

Parking is available at the Trenton Marriott Parking lot at 1 West LaFayette Street at the corner of West LaFayette Street and South Warren Street. If needed, Garden State Equality will reimburse you for the parking. Don't go looking for free street parking in Trenton: it's impossible to find and/or you'll have to feed a meter constantly. For a map to walk from the Trenton Marriott parking lot at 1 West LaFayette Street to Garden State Equality's office at 110 West State Street, enter the location at Map Quest.

Food and drink will be supplied. Contact Garden State Equality Field Director Hannah Johnson at Johnson@GardenStateEquality.org with questions.

Poll Shows More New Jersey Residents Support Marriage Equality Than Oppose

UPDATE: Advocate: NJ Senators Weigh Marriage Priority

A new poll released today shows that New Jersey residents support marriage equality more than they oppose it. By a 46% - 42 % margin, New Jerseyans favor legalizing same-sex marriage with 12% still unsure. The marriage question was asked after Election Day. The poll has a +/-3.3% margin of error.

This next quote is key! "The survey also shows that if the state Legislature passes a bill legalizing gay marriage, 52 percent would accept the decision, while 40 percent would support a constitutional amendment banning the practice."

On Monday I reported that state Sen. Paul Sarlo mentioned that the state's marriage bill may not get out of his committee so that the full senate could vote on it. Currently, there is a time crunch. Pro-marriage equality Gov. Jon Cozine was voted out of office earlier this month and will be replace by Chris Christie who adamantly opposes same-sex marriage.

Many fear that the defeat in Maine gave politicians cold feet, but this poll hopefully will thaw them out.

“New Jerseyans are more supportive of gay marriage than opposed to it, and more importantly, a majority would accept a legislative decision legalizing same-sex marriages,” said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll and professor of political science at Rutgers University. “While this tests opinion outside the intensity of a campaign to ban gay marriage, as occurred in California, there is more of a ‘live and let live’ attitude in New Jersey than in many other states that have dealt with this issue.”

ACTION: Find out how you can help at Garden State Equality.

RELATED: VIDEO: Amazing New Marriage Equality Ads Launched in New Jersey

New Jersey Marriage Equality Bill May Not Get a Vote

I've been reporting on the developments in New Jersey and the possibility of the state's marriage equality bill being signed before pro-LGBT Gov. John Corzine leaves office. However, the chances of a victory in the New Jersey legislature are growing smaller.

State Sen. Paul Sarlo, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, said Friday that he would not allow the bill to even be brought up in the committee unless he knew it had enough votes to be recommended to the Senate. Sarlo stated that he did not believe it had enough support.

"Today, as I stand here, we do not have the votes in the Judiciary Committee," said Sarlo according to the AP. "Until somebody can demonstrate that we have the votes in the Judiciary Committee, it will not be posted."

"I'm not going to put people in harm's way where they have to vote 'yes' or 'no' when we don't have the votes to get it out (of committee)," Sarlo went on to say.

For the bill to reach Corzine, it must also pass the Assembly, and Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts isn't sure it will be brought up this year because he wants to be sure it will pass before having it posted.

Republican Chris Christie, who is to succeed Corzine in January, is adamantly outspoken against marriage equality and has already stated he would veto any bill that reached his desk. So it comes down to garnering support in the legislature before Corzine is out of office.

New Jersey same-sex couples can enter civil unions, which were established in 2007, but studies have shown that these are not sufficient compared to marriage, which has sparked the push for the marriage equality bill.

New Jersey's Garden State Equality has launched educational ads to build support among legislators' constituents, especially in light of what happened in Maine. If strong support is apparent, it may encourage the representatives to vote on the issue.

Opposition from fundamentalists has been harsh, with the National Organization for Marriage airing radio ads and the Catholic Church organizing statewide sermons against same-sex marriage as well as others organizing protests.

ACTION: Find out how you can help at Garden State Equality.

Focus on the Family: New Jersey Is Next

Crossposted with LGBT POV.

The antigay group Focus on the Family was not only happy with the outcome in Maine – but with the election in New Jersey as well, where conservative Christopher Christie defeated Jon Corzine in the gubernatorial race. Corzine has promised to sign a marriage equality bill if the state Legislature gets it to his desk before Christie takes office Jan. 10, 2010. Steven Goldstein, Executive Director of Garden State Equality, says there is a new urgency to the push for marriage equality in New Jersey. Focus on the Family is lining up to stop it. Watch this – then go to the Garden State Equality website to see how you can help.



UTF Note: See the NJ marriage equality ads and the discussion surrounding them.

Related:

• Battle over same-sex marriage in New Jersey escalates
• WSJ: Gay-Marriage Fight Heads to New Jersey
  

VIDEO: Amazing New Marriage Equality Ads Launched in New Jersey

Maine who? Christie who?

Last night, New Jersey voted pro-marriage equality governor John Corzine out of the office and replaced him with anti-LGBT Chris Christie.

So what? Garden State Equality (GSE) has launched two new marriage equality ads today. The New Jersey legislature is poised to pass a marriage equality bill that Corzine has promised to sign during his lame duck session, and GSE is prepared.

This first ad features Marsha and Louise, an amazing couple who experienced the failure that is New Jersey's civil unions.



Emilia, a straight widow, laments that same-sex couples can't visit their partners in the hospital, a privilege that she had when her husband was lying ill in the hospital.



Garden State Equality needs your help to keep these ads on the air. The legislature will be voting soon, but after the failure in Maine, they may feel hesitant. It's important that their constituents support the bill, and these ads will state the case.

Donate today.

Hundreds Protest New Jersey's Possible Marriage Equality Legislation

Washington D.C. New York. New Jersey.

What do all of these have in common? A strong possibility of marriage equality being legal by the end of the year. With all of the focus on Maine, Washington state and Kalamazoo, MI and their rights-stripping referendums, we sometimes forget that more work is being done elsewhere with good possible outcomes.

However, not everyone is liking it.

New Jersey, the last state with a civil union law that has not banned or legalized marriage equality, has a pretty LGBT-friendly legislature that's considering a marriage equality bill. Its current governor, Jon Corzine, who's facing a tight reelection race, is dedicated to signing the bill if it hits his desk. Currently, the plan is to pass the bill after the elections and Corzine will sign it during what could be his lame duck session.

This possibility was protested Sunday at the state's capital in Trenton by anti-marriage equality forces who are demanding that they get to vote on the issue.

The Star-Ledger reports:

Hundreds of people — holding signs that read "Let the people decide" and "Marriage = one man and one woman" — gathered in front of the Statehouse in Trenton today to protest gay marriage. The crowd applauded as politicians and representatives from the Catholic Church, as well as other religious groups, vowed to defeat gay marriage.

"That word ‘marriage’ means an awful lot to us, and we don’t want to see it radically redefined," said Len Deo of the New Jersey Family Policy Council. "You cannot redefine what you did not create."

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But religious groups in the state are divided on the issue.

The Rev. Charlie Ortman of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Montclair last week said he and his church — along with 17 other religious groups across the state — actively support gay marriage.

"Religion has made such a mess of this matter that it’s religion that now must step into the fray so that religions can stand on the side of love rather than the side of discrimination," Ortman said.

Get involved! Help New Jersey pass marriage equality legislation. Go to Garden State Equality to find out how!

Image: Jennifer Brown/The Star-Ledger