The N.J. Senate voted down a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage six months ago, but the issue is not dead in Trenton
The National Organization for Marriage plans its rally in front of the Statehouse today, part of a 19-state “Summer for Marriage, One Man – One Woman Tour,” in which the organization’s president, Brian Brown, plans to speak along with Bishop John M. Smith of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton.
To counter that, pro-gay marriage group Garden State Equality gathered in the Statehouse this morning with same-sex couples and their children. The group said it would unveil a video it says shows senators who voted against gay marriage acknowledging the state’s current civil union law is not working.
Although the Legislature failed to pass gay-marriage legislation and Gov. Chris Christie has said he opposes it, the issue has not died in Trenton. Same-sex couples and gay rights organizations have asked the state Supreme Court to grant them marriage rights on the grounds that the civil union law is inadequate. The court has not said whether it will take the case.
Previous coverage:
• Six same-sex couples ask N.J.'s top court for permission to wed
• N.J. gay rights advocates prepare legal action to get state to legalize same-sex marriage
• Garden State Equality pledges to withhold donations after gay marriage vote
• Editorial: N.J.'s gay marriage vote: Three spineless senators abstain
• Full coverage of the gay marriage debate in New Jersey
Related videos:
| Excerpts from New Jersey state Senate debate on same-sex marriage |