New Jersey State Senate Passes Bill Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

[RandySF]

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey lawmakers gave their blessing to legalizing gay marriage for the first time Monday as the state Senate passed a bill that would allow nuptials for same-sex couples, despite Gov. Chris Christie's insistence that he will veto such legislation.

The Senate's 24-16 vote sends the bill to the Assembly, which is expected to pass it on Thursday.

Monday's vote contrasts with the only other gay-marriage vote taken in the Legislature. In January 2010, gay marriage supporters thought they had built a narrow majority in the Senate, but senators began to defect, and the measure was defeated 20-14. Since then, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat from West Deptford, has changed his position. He says he regrets abstaining two years ago and has made gay marriage recognition a top priority.

"It means the world isn't changing, it means the world has already changed," said Steven Goldstein, chariman of Garden State Equality, the state's largest gay rights organization. "So wake up and smell the equality."

Two Democrats and two Republicans went against their party lines in the vote. Sen. Jennifer Beck, a Republican from Red Bank, voted for allowing gay marriage. "It is my opinion that our republic was established to guarantee liberty to all people," she said. "It is our role to protect all of the people who live in our state."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/new-jersey-gay-marriage-state-senate_n_1273628.html

[HappyMe]

1. k&r

[physioex]

2. Yea.....

But it still has to get through Debbie Downer also know as Chris Christie.

[gratuitous]

3. Is Christie expected to sign or veto the bill?

According to the excerpt, the bill has gotten through the Senate, and is expected to pass the House. Christie seems very, very interested in the second spot on the GOP ticket. Will he sign the bill into law and kiss off his chance at Vice President? Or will he veto it to bolster his conservative chops?

[physioex]

4. Ummm....

I dunno bout VP thing. We already have a "Massachusetts Modertate" as the frontrunner. Now add another "New Jersey Moderate" and things won't play so well in Kansas. Personally I think he would veto the bill but let's see......

[gratuitous]

5. Christie has a funny record

For the most part, he's as rock-ribbed conservative as the next three persons, but every now and then he takes a position that you wouldn't expect. It's possible he might sign a same sex marriage bill into law. But he's also made noises like he wouldn't mind the second slot on the Republican ticket in 2012. Or perhaps he'd just like to be courted/considered for the spot.

In any event, it's still reprehensible that people's lives are being subjected to a popular vote thanks to Republican knuckleheads currying favor with bigots.