Washington, New Jersey Move Toward Same-Sex Marriage
Posted by Phil Ferguson on February 14th, 2012 – Comments Off – Posted in gay rightsPost by Phil Ferguson
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Proponents of same-sex marriage got a boost on two fronts Monday, when the governor of Washington signed a bill legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples and the New Jersey state Senate voted 24-16 in favor of a similar bill.
The New Jersey bill now goes to the Assembly, which is slated to vote Thursday. “We’re cautiously optimistic” about its chances for passage, said Steven Goldstein, a spokesman for Garden State Equality, which has lobbied for the bill.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said last month that the issue “should not be decided by 121 people in the State House in Trenton.” Instead, he favors a statewide referendum.
That is code for, I don’t like the idea that this may actually pass!
“I think that this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, in the hands of the Senate president or in the hands of the speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature,” he said. “Let’s let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state.”
You are part of a representative democracy. Step up and do your job or quit!
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s signature to legislation legalizing same-sex marriage added her state to a list that includes Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, New York and the District of Columbia.
Meanwhile back in the state of Washington….
“We have finally said yes to marriage equality,” Gregoire said to applause moments before signing the bill. “It gives same-sex couples the same right to a marriage license as heterosexual couples.”
But I also think he has all the...