N.J. Senate rejects bill legalizing gay marriage

[Broke In Jersey]

By The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk
January 07, 2010, 4:39PM

TRENTON -- The state Senate rejected a same-sex marriage bill today, a major victory for opponents who contend that the measure would damage religious freedom and is not needed because the state already permits civil unions.

The 20-14 vote, with three abstentions, defeating the measure followed an hour and a half of public debate inside the packed Senate chamber, and loud, often-contentious rallies on the Statehouse steps, with hundreds of supporters and opponents of the measure making their voices heard.

Statewide polls have shown New Jersey residents closely divided on same-sex marriage, and leading up to today’s vote, indicators showed a majority of the senators opposing the measure.

But momentum for the bill grew after Gov. Jon Corzine lost the November election. He has promised to sign the measure before Gov.-elect Chris Christie takes office. Christie has said he opposes the bill.

Last month, the legislation cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee after hours of emotional debate and testimony, which set the stage for today’s full Senate showdown.

New Jersey passed a domestic partnership law in 2002 and legalized civil unions in 2006, but supporters say there are major flaws, like problems with pension benefits and hospitals denying visits to partners. They say gay couples do not have equal rights without being allowed to marry.

Just four state have legalized gay marriage, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, while 30 states have banned it through constitutional amendments.

[joeybee12]

1. Phuck...n/t

[Pab Sungenis]

2. Do we have any breakdowns on the vote yet?

I want official confirmation that Jeff Van Drew voted "no" before I prepare to oppose him in the primary, whether for Congress or for re-election to State Senate.

[Cornus]

9. It's official...

...Jeff Van Drew did vote "no". Here's a breakdown of the votes I received in an email from NJ Stonewall Democrats:

Sorry I have not posted sooner- finally home after full day in Trenton!
Time to sit down and cool off-
There were 22 Democrats available to vote- Dana Redd had resigned her seat to be Mayor of Camden. She in my opinion would NOT have been a "yes" vote so, "good riddance"!

Of the 14 "Yes" votes, 13 were Democrats and 1 was a Republican!
Democrats were 13- 9 (6+3) I am counting the 3 "no-votes" the same as a NO! the no-votes of Sweeney, Sarlo and Beach are probably worse because they reflect a lack of substance.

republicans present voted 1- 14

Here's the complete tally on the measure to allow same-sex marriage in New Jersey. The bill failed to pass.

YES (14)

Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex),
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sen. Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Sen. Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Bergen)
Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Sen. Joseph F.Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)
NO (20)

Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D- Essex)
Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-Passaic
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) .
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris)
Sen. Christopher Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth )
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen)
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Essex)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Sen. Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)

ABSTENTIONS (3)

Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen)
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)

DID NOT ATTEND SESSION (2)

Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington)
Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean)

[sharp_stick]

3. That really sucks

I wish it was also unexpected but unfortunately I don't think it was. I wish I could understand this weird paranoia so many people have.

[Libertas1776]

4. I guess fear of "teh gay"

from Albany rubbed off on Trenton. :eyes: Fuckers!

[Walk away]

5. I am so sorry. I feel terrible for everyone here tonight and pissed off...

at my stupid state.

[DainBramaged]

6. opponents "who contend that the measure would damage religious freedom "

Freedom to fuck over your heterosexual partners, freedom to abandon your children, freedom to cheat on your wive(s). Religious freedom my wrinkled old ass. With Cristie as the new Governor I am fearful my life-long state that I love will become another Repuke hovel.


But then it dawned on me. I will bet Christie doesn't last a year. He's too fucking corrupt, and the NJ political machine will eat him alive.


I am sorry my friends that our legislature is chickenshit.

[galledgoblin]

7. not surprised.

*hugs for NJ posters* :(

[johnnypneumatic]

8. time for a new stonewall

the NY senate didn't really pay enough of a price for their betrayal, so what did the NJ senate have to fear
every politician who votes against gay rights needs to be hounded constantly as a homophobic bigot
every day
no mercy
make them resign in disgrace

[RetiredTrotskyite]

10. Yanno What?

I'm tired of asking nicely for my civil rights. I'm tired of having religious bigots and other backward elements having the unmitigated gall to think they should be able to vote on issues that will not impact their lives but that will certainly impact my life and in the case of this backward, Christianist dominated shithole that passes itself off as following the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I'm sick to death of smug bigots like Maggie Gallagher able to whip up hysteria and "for the chyyylllldren" bullshit they like to throw around. I am tired of people like her and all the rest of the fundie Christianist jihadists slandering and lying about GLBT people.

Now, my friends, is the $64,000.00 question: what can we do about it. Let's put our heads together and brainstorm as to what to do. Seriously.