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New Jersey governor would sign 'gay marriage' bill, after election

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine Feb. 19 signaled he would sign a bill legalizing "gay marriage" -– just not before the November elections, reports Michael Foust, an assistant editor for Baptist Press.

Homosexual activists in the state are pressuring the legislature to pass such a bill, arguing that the current civil unions law -– which grants same-sex couples the legal benefits of marriage -– is insufficient.

"He will sign a bill, but doesn't want to make it a presidential election year issue," Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton said, according to the Associated Press.

But Corzine's public position likely will make "gay marriage" an issue, although to what degree remains to be seen. Corzine, a Democrat, reportedly made the same pledge last year at an informal gathering of the New York chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.

Although Massachusetts remains the only state to recognize "gay marriage," other states could follow within the year. High court decisions in Connecticut and California are expected in coming months, and Iowa's Supreme Court will hear a case as well.

New Jersey's civil unions law was court-mandated in 2006, when the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered legislators to grant homosexual couples the same legal benefits married couples have. To the chagrin of homosexual activists, the legislature chose to legalize civil unions, and not "gay marriage." Immediately, "gay marriage" supporters pledged to continue the fight.

"New Jersey's civil union law segregates, discriminates and humiliates the very people it is supposed to help," Steven Goldstein, chairman of the homosexual group Garden State Equality, said, according to the AP.

Goldstein's comments came after the Civil Union Review Commission -– made up of government appointees -– issued a report Feb. 19 saying the civil unions law falls short of its goal because private employers ignore it by not providing homosexual couples the same spousal benefits married couples have.

"The report does raise significant concerns about whether the law has effectively granted same-sex couples the same rights and benefits of every other family in the state," Corzine said.

Conservatives said the commission was stacked with supporters of "gay marriage."

"In the end, the truth is, the homosexual lobby wants same sex marriage for one reason -- to use the power of the state to force heterosexuals to approve of homosexual activity and relationships," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, a Republican, told AP.

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[02/26/2008]

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