Some N.J. Mayors Refuse To Conduct Civil Unions

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/12/120806jersey.htm

Contentious legislation creating civil unions for same-sex couples is expected to be passed next week by the New Jersey legislature but some mayors say they are prepared to go to jail rather than officiate at gay unions.

The legislation passed a key Senate committee on Thursday (story) and will go before an Assembly committee on Monday.

LGBT activists have condemned the measure because it is less than marriage.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in October that same-sex couples should have access to the same rights and benefits as married couples. Whether to call those rights marriages, civil unions or something else was left up to lawmakers.

New Jersey's largest LGBT civil rights organization, Garden State Equality, has slammed the civil unions bill as not worth the paper it's printed on. It offers little more than is already covered under the state's domestic partner law.

[Not Me]

1. They are sworn to uphold the law without discrimination.

When this is enacted, anyone who refuses to perform their duty should be removed. Obviously their choice of career does not match their beliefs.

[election_2004]

2. Then have the deputy mayor do it....

There should be enough progressive-minded justices of the peace who will administer civil unions under state law all across NJ...so gay/lesbian couples may need to go a few cities over to find someone. An unnecessary inconvenience, but there are enough civil union supporters that they should be able to find someone.

Let the bigoted mayors head off to jail, I say. Get someone better to replace them.

[Athelwulf]

3. These mayors are throwing a hissy fit, are they?

They don't wanna treat homosexuals just like heterosexuals?

Well I guess that's just too bad for them. Let them go to jail.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. They can't go to jail while holding office

And anyway, I doubt refusal to solemnize a marriage is a criminal act. However, it should be easy to remove them for dereliction of duty or some other charge.

[HeavensHell]

5. I believe......

The mayor of New Paltz here in NY was arrested for performing gay marriages while in office....