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After over 8 hours of testimony and a brief debate, the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage bill (S1967) on a 7 to 6 vote. The expectation is that the bill will be debated by the full Senate as early as Thursday.
Responses will be posted after the fold.
Here is the breakdown of the vote. The annotations are courtesy of Blue Jersey:
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.Blue Jersey has posted a quote from New Jersey Governor Corzine
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.
Blue Jersey also quotes Sen. Lesniak, a staunch supporter
A recent poll conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics determined that only 2% of New Jersey residents believe gay marriage is an important issue. But to those gay couples in a loving and committed civil union, it is an extremely important issue. It means they will be able to visit their loved ones in a hospital or make arrangements for their funerals without painful rejection, without questioning and delays caused by doubting Thomases unfamiliar with the meaning of civil unions.“It means they will get the health and pension benefits they are entitled to without having to hire a lawyer to convince their employers that civil unions convey the same rights and obligations as marriage. It means they will be treated as human beings should be treated: with love, compassion, understanding and acceptance.
“It is not often we have an opportunity to change society and how we treat each other as human beings. It occurs a few times in our lifetimes, if it occurs at all. We have that opportunity today. We can change fear to love, hate to compassion, cruelty to kindness.
Steven Goldstein and others, courtesy NJ.com
“The marriage equality movement in America starts again here, right here,” Steven Goldstein, chair of the gay rights advocacy group Garden State Equality, said after the vote. …“A lot of the advocates feel that they’re close and getting closer [to having enough Senate votes to pass],” said Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex). “It’s certainly going to be a fairly close vote.”
35 Comments
Nia GillROCKED her testimony. Simply amazing. CONGRATS NEW JERSEY!!
from Pa. but listened to all of thisjust remember who voted how, take notes.
and answer back at the polls.
rid yourselves of the oppressors.
She sure didAnd not just in the final speech, but all through the grueling hours of testimony. What an amazing ally and advocate.
What Now?So now it goes to a full Senate vote?
Very ImpressiveThe hard part will be on Thursday, I wonder what our chances really are.
I was able to listen to quite a bit of the proceedings today and three things impressed me.
First, the children who testified really made the case for how natural and healthy our families are. All those who tried to keep kids and gay-lesbian-trans families out of the Prop 8 and the #1 debate in Maine had their noses rubbed in reality today. Our kids are our best argument for recognizing our rights.
Second, the Republicans and Democrats in opposition to our rights were clearly embarrassed by the hatred which shined through on the part of the christianists. At a time when Uganda is legislating the Endlösung against us, regime built by American christianists expressly for that purpose, it doesn’t hurt to contrast their disdain for human rights with the simple but very effective appeal of Paul Sarlo for balanced discussion.
Third, after the passionate defence of our civil rights both here in New Jersey (Bond was fantastic!) as well as in New York last week, nobody can blame our losses on the Blacks anymore. It was 100% our arrogance and our fault. They’re rallying behind us.
A very impressive day for everyone.
Pam, thanks so much for this blog. What can we do to improve our chances on Thursday?
I see the full vote happens on Thurs…… any conventional wisdom on how that will go?
I couldn’t stop listening to her………..I think I have another new hero
Almost nil…sorry to say. Senate leader Codey has already said he does not have enough votes, but it would be closer than in NY. Duh. Hard not to be closer than 38-24. At least we have a Republican on board this time, but unless something changes, I’d guess that Beck’s and Girgenti’s “No” votes seal the deal against equality.
My nerves are going to be a wreck on Thursday…….………AGAIN!!!!!!
FAQQuick question, what else must happen to pass this thing? I know there is a Senate vote and a governor signature, has the house already voted on it?
Also how big is the senate and whats the party split?
Thanks in advance, i would do research myself but exams are coming…
Improving our chances for ThursdayIf you live in NJ, contact your legislators personally and tell them why their “yes” vote is important to you. If you can swing it, go see them in person, and take as many friends, neighbors and family members as you can.
If you don’t live in NJ, ask anyone you know living there to do the above.
If none of the above applies, consider making a donation to Garden State Equality or to any other LGBT advocacy organization you prefer. Whether in NJ or elsewhere, we’re all working towards the same goal of civil equality.
How Depressing…… I’m simply not up for any further indignities around this issue. But thanks for alerting me to keep expectations low.
the house has not voted yet.last i heard, the votes were thought to be there in the house but the senate is uncertain.
Like I said I hope NJ can pass this, but I don’t want to get too invested, not after Maine and NY
Why wait?Why wait for the polls? The big vote is on Thursday. Leverage this moment of press access to sling mud like mad at the people who voted against the Bill – as well as those who have publicly vowed to vote against the Bill during the full vote.
Let them know that there will be no grace period, no forgiveness, if they mess with New Jersey’s citizens. ANY of New Jersey’s citizens.
The senate…23 Dems, 17 Reps for a total of 40. My assumption is the Assembly will pass this bill if the Senate does, and obviously not take it up at all if it fails.
WowSo its 23-17 plus at least one Republican in favor, and this still has trouble passing? Unbelievable…
So far…we’ve seen that 2 Dems are against and 1 GOP for. If the rest of the senate goes similarly, it wouldn’t look too good. I read somewhere to expect the final vote to be at best 22-18 against marriage equality.
sighWell it is almost Christmas, maybe a miracle…
Today is only Monday.The vote won’t happen until Thursday or later. Now is not the time to throw in the towel, now is the time to fight like hell.
whose religious liberty?As I note in two separate posts today, there was plenty of complaining about how the law will infringe religious freedoms. But what about the religious beliefs of those who support our unions? I analyze some of the testimony at http://wordinedgewise.org
Yawn…Wake me when we all get our shit together and start at the national level.
No one is free, when others are oppressed.
I agree that things need to happen at the National level, But lets not forget history. Many states were ahead and many behind past civil rights movements.
The sky hasn’t fallen in Massachusetts proving the religious rights fear mongering and doom and gloom to be the complete Bull Shit it is.
When we the LGBT community and supporters get serious about calling and labeling the religious right KKKristians the lying hateful bigots they are is when we will win Nationally.
NEW maggie image http://s810.photobucket.com/al…
That’s for Maine and NY ya evil HAG!
well….
I’m hoping for the best in NJ but preparing for the worst. NOM is so great at distorting and out and out lying, I dont feel we have much of a shot in ANY state at this time.
I also feel going state to state is pointless. Even if tomorrow we had marriage in all 50 states, what good would that really do us without federal benefits? We’d still be in teh same spot. In my very humble opinion, it’s time to ditch the state by state effort and concentrate solely on the federal level.
The deck is very stacked against us in the end so please don’t waste emotion and energy by getting too excited. We are very likely losing this too. Thank god for DC. Finally get at least one W on the board. Nice after Maine and New York.
NJ Marriage Equality VoteI just heard on the radio that there aren’t enough secured votes to pass it in the senate. So, another New York style defeat ahead of us. Hope I’m wrong, but my gut feeling says otherwise.
Connecticut will now stand to benefit from the bulk of hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts as a result of a defeat. According to NYC comptroller William Thompson in a report he released in May 2009, New York state alone could expect to raise at least $207 million within three years if same-sex marriage were legalized. I guess the opponents who vote against us really don’t care about the state economy or the negative impact it will have on businesses, employment, as well as the tax revenue that will be lost to these states. Amazing nobody is discussing this at the political level while most of the states are facing huge cuts in state budgets.
It’s a roller coaster ride, isn’t it?I just simply can’t get excited about these state bills any more. We’ve all gotten our hopes up too high too many times, only to have them dashed. DC will be a big win but. despite assurances, I’m sure the right wing will do everything they can to derail it in congress–and I can’t imagine President Fierce and his party doing much to stop them. We need a national strategy. Of course, with the duplicitous democrats running things, chances of that are slim to none, but hope springs eternal… I’m not saying we should abandon state-by-state efforts altogether, but DOMA is the biggest obstacle we face. We need to get it struck down, either legislatively or judicially, period. Other victories will be footnotes till that happens.
You need to remember Nevada and WashingtonThe Nevada legislature passed then overrode their governor’s veto to create full domestic partnerships. In Washington, the legislature passed the final law that made domestic partnerships full-blown, and this was ratified by the voters at the polls, a national first.
And before anyone sneezes snobbily at “just domestic partnerships”, they are providing life-sustaining rights to the enrolled couples while we continue to work at all levels for equality.
Nothing will happen on the national level ifpressure doesn’t come up from below. The fact is that we need to be pushing on all fronts. Anyone sitting on their hands in their own state is forgetting that there are important state-level rights associated with marriage that repeal of DOMA cannot grant. Also, even if federal DOMA is repealed, you will not be considered married by the federal government if your state doesn’t consider you married.
the money angledoes get discussed, and every state reaching for marriage equality has had at least one study showing what you’ve read about new jersey – that there will be a cash benefit to the state by making marriage sex-blind. the problem seems to be that a healthy state budget is less important to some lawmakers than their personal bigotry.
i don’t know what to expect thursday, but i do know that it is way too early to give up. you know, the votes to end the anti-equality marriage amendment in massachusetts weren’t there until the actual vote. and they got 151 out of 200 votes, but the minimum required to kill the amendment was 151, so we were 1 vote from a terrible loss up to the last minute. you never know until the vote is taken what is going to happen. if you live in nj or know someone who does, KEEP CALLING YOUR LEGISLATORS.
Thank you, LurleenDPs/Civil Unions are valuable even if as a stopgap measure.
Don’t Tell Maggie Gallagher, But We Know Where Gays in America LiveFrom queerty has a good graphic at the link.
Article discusses size of NJ, DC, and ME gay populations
http://www.queerty.com/dont-te…
Call your reps!!!!!I agree with you Lurleen. It’s not over until it’s over. I can’t take this negativity anymore. You want Equality? Get off your ass and demand it!!!!
Clearly we get what we earn….
she’s one of our Godmothers…. n/t