Brody's Notes... NJ Senate Advances Same-Sex Marriage While Governor Christie Confirms He'll Veto & Asks For Ballot Measure

New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie

By Brody Levesque | TRENTON, NEW JERSEY -- The New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee, in a party-line 8-4 vote Tuesday, advanced a bill that would allow same-sex marriage to be legal in the state. After three hours of testimony which at times led to impassioned arguments, dozens of supporters and opponents of the bill delivered three-minute remarks. Earlier this month, Democrats introduced the bill, S1, the first in the new legislative session to symbolize their commitment to its passage and importance.

In today's hearing, same-sex marriage equality advocates focused on the state's current civil unions law, which has led to legal inadequacies particularly in areas pertaining to survivor benefits, hospital visitation, or child custody issues. During his testimony, Daniel Weiss, who is currently a lead plaintiff in a marriage equality lawsuit filed in New Jersey Superior Court last June, told lawmakers that when he was summoned to a hospital in New York City after his spouse John Grant was hit by a car and sustained life-threatening injuries, Weiss said the brain surgeon asked him; “What is a civil union?"

Opponents' arguments included claims that same-sex marriage redefines the traditional centuries old meaning of marriage and numerous quotes from the Bible condemning homosexuality. There were also statements that even with broad religious exemptions written into the proposed law- protecting religious organisations the rights to not to solemnize same-sex weddings or provide facilities for their celebration- the bill would still threaten religious freedom.

New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie holding a town-hall meeting in Bridgewater, told the audience that an issue of such magnitude should be decided by residents:

"Let's make sure that political maneuvering is not what judges this and let's make sure this is not someone just trying to have fun and create a campaign issue," the Governor said. "The institution of marriage if too serious to be treated like a political football."

The Governor is advocating for ballot measure saying that a proposed constitutional amendment should be drafted and put to a voter's referendum, a position Christie held when he campaigned for office in 2009.

"I think this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, or the hands of the Senate President or 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."

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, one of the measure's Democratic sponsors, said "Civil rights is not to be placed on the ballot." Sweeney noted that civil rights issues like the right to marry are guaranteed under the state's constitution and do not require a public vote. "Civil rights is not to be placed on the ballot. It’s to be voted on by the people in this house." Sweeney's remarks came when the hearing was interrupted to share the governor's announcement.

Senator Ray Lezniak, another sponsor of the bill, directly addressed the Governor's remarks just prior to the committee voting to advance the bill. Lesniak also said same-sex marriage is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. "It's up to us to implement it as legislators. It's not like sports betting," he said. "It's a civil right that’s guaranteed in the constitution."

A spokesman for Christie told LGBTQNation Tuesday afternoon that the Governor has not changed his stance on same-sex marriage. As far as the governor is concerned the aide said, he believes in traditional marriage.

Senator Sweeney stated that enough votes exist to pass the bill in the Senate in a floor vote as tentatively scheduled to happen on February 13. However, Democratic legislative leaders in both houses are still working with their GOP counterparts to muster the two-thirds majorities required to override the Governor's promised veto. In the Senate, a sole Republican senator publicly supports the bill, and the veto threat from Christie holds the potential to make other members of the GOP caucus wary about crossing the governor.