Today, the New Jersey Assembly’s Judiciary Committee voted yes on a marriage equality bill, which moves the legislation forward into the full Assembly. The vote was 5-2. The “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act” has nine sponsors and an additional four co-sponsors. Legislators patiently and in a rather well organized fashion (one legislator called it “classy,”) listened for almost seven hours to hundreds of citizens both in favor and against the bill, although the majority certainly seemed to favor passage of the same-sex marriage equality bill.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has promised to veto the bill should it reach his desk. Christie previously suggested that African-American civil rights should have been put to a statewide vote, and later was forced to apologize after many across the nation expressed outrage.
The comments from New Jersey citizens were varied and often cited religious liberty — some expressing how a ban on same-sex marriage enhances their liberty, others indicating how it discriminates and infringes on their liberty.
For a sampling of some comments from today’s hearing, read “New Jersey Gay Marriage: Legislature Hearing Today – Here’s A Sample.”
Among those lawmakers opposed to the bill, one Republican after spending seven hours listening to hundreds of people explain their position on marriage equality, claimed he had not heard anything at all that convinced him that society would benefit from marriage equality.
Another Republican lawmaker, Holly Schepisi, whose first day on the job was today, said she only received three emails in favor of the bill, and over 50 opposed too it, an indication that pro-equality individuals need to work harder in New Jersey — which is not to say Garden State Equality has not. Garden State Equality for years, and recently, has worked tirelessly on same-sex marriage and does a great job. We, as individuals, need to do our part as well.
Schepisi voted no, claiming she thought there might be a way to creatively redefine all marriages, an ignorant comment, albeit probably an honest attempt at reaching compromise.
Compromise is not an option. Compromise is “separate but equal,” which is never equal.
Special thanks to Zack Ford at Think Progess!