Same-sex marriage (SSM)

Menu

Civil unions & same-sex marriage in New Jersey

Sponsored link.

Introduction:

Within North America, same-sex marriage (SSM) was first legalized in Massachusetts during 2004, and later across all of Canada in 2005. Normally, it is the central government of a country that legalizes SSM in all of its states simultaneously. It is only in the U.S. and Mexico that marriage equality is attained one state at a time.

During 2011-JUN, a bill was introduced to the Assembly to legalize SSM. It was passed by the Senate and Assembly but was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie (R). The legislature is now faced with three options:

• It can try to persuade the Governor to cancel his veto. However there are rumors that he may run for the Presidency in 2014. If he were to allow SSM in New Jersey, his chances to be nominated as the Republican candidate would be essentially zero.
  
  
• It can try to override the Governor's veto at any time until 2014-JAN. This requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate. Both houses are about 60% Democrat, so even if all of the Democrats supported SSM, some Republican votes would be required to attain marriage equality.
  
  
• It can authorize a plebiscite to be held on election day in 2013-NOV or 2014-NOV to have the public vote on the matter. This is the option preferred by the public.

As of 2013-JUL, supporters of SSM are trying to round up a few extra votes in an attempt to vote on the bill again and override the veto.

Topics covered in this section:

	Quotations. Summary of the fight for marriage equality in New Jersey
	Background material. Launching the Lewis et. al. v. Harris et. al. lawsuit
	Progress of the lawsuit
	Decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court
	The civil union bill and law
	The conflict between a NJ lesbian couple who wanted a civil union ceremony, and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Part 1: The conflict. Manipulation of the conflict in a TV ad. The lawsuit Part 2: Timeline of the lawsuit. Current status
	Public opinion polls concerning same-sex marriage and marriage equality: 2003 to 2007 2009 to 2011-AUG 2011- OCT to 2012-JAN 2012-FEB to now
	Is same-sex marriage next?
	Attempts to legalize same-sex marriage: Through the legislature: Unsuccessful attempt during 2009 - 2010 During 2011 During 2012 2012-JAN 09 to 12: Bills introduced to Legislature. Columnist recommends Gov. Christie sign bill 2012-JAN 18 to 24: Gov. Christie's position. Legislative agenda. Committee approves bill 2012-JAN 24 to JAN-27: Governor Christie to veto. Votes in Legislature. Referendum debate 2012-JAN 28 to FEB-13: More referendum debate. Bill passes Assembly committee. Senate passes bill 2012-FEB-14 to 16: Poll support for SSM referendum. Jewish leaders split on SSM bill. Assembly passes bill 2012-FEB-17: Gov. Christie vetoes bill. Senator Sweeney critical of veto 2012-FEB to now: Senator Sweeney critical of veto. Polling data. Attempt to hold referendum or veto override By a return to the state courts: 2009: Court activity reactivating Lewis v. Harris. Public support for SSM. Arguments favoring SSM 2010: Petitions, amicus curiae, & unsuccessful attempt to reopen the Lewis v. Harris case 2011-JUN: Return to the courts with a new case: Garden State Equality v. Dow 2011-NOV to now: Garden State Equality case proceeds
	Lawsuit involving the religious freedom to discriminate: Same-sex couple seeks equal treatment; Methodist group seeks the freedom to discriminate: Part 1   Part 2   Part3

Sponsored link

Web ReligiousTolerance.org

Page Translator: This page translator works on Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Safari browsers only After translating, click on the "show original" button at the top of this page to restore page to English.