Gay Marriage in NJ: Back to Square One

Advocates for gay marriage in New Jersey got sobering news from a previously sympathetic State Supreme Court today, when it denied their attempt to get an early decision on the constitutionality of the state's Civil Union Law.

Their appeal to New Jersey's highest court followed a vote in the legislature that refused to replace the Civil Union Law with a Marriage Equality Law.

It was the High Court that nearly four years ago, in the case Lewis vs. Harris, ordered the State Legislature to either give gays the right to marry, or create a civil union law that would give them the same rights -- but no marriage certificate.

Three and a half years ago, the Legislature responded with a Civil Union Law that mirrored state marriage laws in all rights and respects with one big exception -- it does not confer the term 'marriage' on gay unions.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Gay-Marriage-in-NJ-Back-to-Square-One-99238289.html

It should be noted that the three justices without tenure, up for reappointment by Governor Christie, voted against us.

Because of the legislature's inability to act and the Supreme Court's decision today, New Jersey continues in a caste system where an entire people are thrown aside into a profoundly inferior status, spit on, dumped on, utterly degraded, by hospitals and employers who mock the term "civil union." Children will continue to live with an imprimatur of inferiority, psychologically devastated because they can't marry or because their same-sex parents cannot marry. Same-sex couples will continue to be denied the consistent right to visit one another in the hospital, to make medical decisions for one another, and to receive equal health benefits from employers, all because of the deprivation of the equality and dignity that uniquely comes with the word ‘marriage.’

http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2010/07/nj-high-court-turns-down-marri.html

This is what happens when people vote or act (not voting) against their own interests.

And even sorrier to see the lack of interest here.

I know I don't have to tell you this because you'll do it anyway, but keep fighting the good fight.