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NJ: Garden State Equality Cuts Off Democratic Party, Will Donate to Individual Candidates

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest gay rights advocate, announced Monday it would end donating to political parties. The new policy comes just weeks after the New Jersey Legislature overwhelmingly spurned a gay marriage bill. The group is one of the nation’s largest to lobby lawmakers for gay rights and lists more than 65,000 active members.

While lawmaker’s failure to approve gay nuptials was not listed as a reason for the new policy, the group did mention the loss in its statement.

“The only LGBT civil rights law New Jersey does not have is marriage equality,” the group said after listing several gay rights milestones. “After the state voted down a marriage bill earlier this year, Lambda Legal announced at a Garden State Equality news conference that our side is going back to court.”

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in garden state equality, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage | No Responses »

NJ: Garden State Equality to Take Gay Marriage Back to Court in February

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

In spite of their recent set-back, LGBT activists in New Jersey continue to push forward with their efforts to extend marriage to same-sex couples The New Jersey State Senate voted 20-14 earlier this month against a bill that would have allowed gays and lesbians to marry in the Garden State. While many supporters left Trenton devastated, Steven Goldstein, chair and chief executive director of Garden State Equality, reiterated his vow to move forward.

“In no way is this back to the drawing board,” he told EDGE. “The community has moved seamlessly and so rapidly towards the next phase, which is winning marriage equality in court. In order to win in a court of law, we have to win in the court of public opinion.”

Goldstein’s organization continues to work alongside Lambda Legal to mount a legal challenge. The state Supreme Court ruled in 2006 it was unconstitutional to treat same-sex couples differently than their straight couples. Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal, hopes to have similar success in light of the state Senate’s vote.

Full Story from Edge Boston
Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in court, garden state equality, Gay Marriage, lawsuit, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage | No Responses »

NJ: Gay Ex-Governor's Wife Against Gay Marriage

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The ex-wife of New Jersey’s only openly gay ex-governor is declaring her opposition to gay marriage. In an interview Wednesday night, Dina Matos – who famously stood by the side of then-Gov. James McGreevey in Aug. 2004 when he proclaimed himself a “gay American” — said lawmakers in Trenton did the right thing last week in defeating gay marriage legislation.

“We have the civil union law in place, which I think is wonderful,” Matos, whose marriage to McGreevey ended in 2008, said prior to addressing the Zonta Club of the Morristown Area.

“I was raised a Catholic. I grew up in the church, so I believe in traditional marriage between a man and a woman,” Matos added.

Full Story from Delaware Online: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100114/NEWS/100114015/McGreevey+s+ex-wife+Dina+Matos+comes+out+against+gay+marriage

Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in dina matos, ex governor, Gay Marriage, jim mcgreevey, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage | No Responses »

NJ: What really Happened to the Gay Marriage Bill

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

New Jersey’s fight over gay marriage was cast as a debate over civil rights and a new chapter in America’s culture wars. But Thursday’s state Senate defeat of the controversial bill, considered a “slam dunk” to pass just a few months ago, also was a simple case of what happens in the bare-knuckle world of New Jersey politics.

Supporters and opponents said everything changed when Gov. Jon Corzine lost to Republican Chris Christie on Election Day. “A chilling effect,” said Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden).

What happened on the way to Thursday’s vote is also a tale of turnabout in a Legislature where personality conflicts, political intrigue and religious beliefs trumped what advocates called a “vote of conscience.”

Full Story from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/gay_marriage_in_new_jersey_onc.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill, Gay Marriage, Jon Corzine, lame duck, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage | No Responses »

NJ: Gay Marriage Group to Withhold Money from Some Democratic Lawmakers

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

New Jersey’s most influential gay civil-rights group pledged Friday to withhold financial support from Democratic lawmakers who did not vote for the same-sex marriage bill. The lack of campaign contributions will cost future candidates hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Steven Goldstein of Teaneck, founder and director of Garden State Equality.

Senator Loretta Weinberg comforts Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality after the gay marriage bill was defeated at the Statehouse in Trenton.

“The gay ATM is done,” Goldstein said. “In a bigger sense, the progressive [issues] ATM is done.”
The state Senate on Thursday defeated the gay-marriage bill, 20-14, with three Democrats not voting: Sen. Paul Sarlo of Wood-Ridge, incoming Senate President Steve Sweeney of Gloucester County and Sen. James Beach of Camden County. Two other senators were absent; another seat is vacant.

Full Story from NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/garden_state_equality_pledges.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in campaign donations, democrats, garden state equality, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage, withhold | No Responses »

NJ: How the Senators Voted on Gay Marriage

Friday, January 8th, 2010

The 20-14 roll call vote by which the New Jersey Senate on Thursday defeated a bill to legalize gay marriage. Voting “no” were 6 Democrats and 14 Republicans. Voting “yes” were 13 Democrats and 1 Republican. It would have taken 21 “yes” votes to pass.

Democrats – Yes

Buono, Metuchen; Codey, West Orange; Cunningham, Jersey City; Gill, Montclair; Gordon, Fair Lawn; Lesniak, Elizabeth; Ruiz, Newark; Scutari, Linden; Smith, Piscataway; Stack, Union City; Vitale, Woodbridge; Weinberg, Teaneck; Whalen, Atlantic City.

Democrats – No

Girgenti, Hawthorne; Madden, Washington Township, Gloucester County; Rice, Newark; Sacco, North Bergen; Turner, Trenton; Van Drew, Dennis.

Democrats – Not voting

Beach, Voorhees; Sarlo, Wood-Ridge; Sweeney, West Deptford.

Republicans – Yes

Baroni, Hamilton.

Republicans – No

Bateman, Branchburg; Beck, Red Bank; Bucco, Denville; Cardinale, Demarest; Connors, Surf City; Doherty, Washington Township, Warren County; Haines, Springfield; S. Kean, Wall; T. Kean, Westfield; Kyrillos, Middletown; Oroho, Franklin Borough; O’Toole, Cedar Grove; Pennacchio, Montville; Singer, Lakewood.

Republicans – Not voting

Allen, Edgewater Park; Ciesla, Brick.

Full Story from the Daily Record: http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100108/UPDATES01/301080003/1005/NEWS01

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in defeated, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage, senate, senators, vote | No Responses »

NJ: Marriage Equality Groups to Petition Supreme Court

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Gay rights activists failed in their attempt to have New Jersey become the sixth state to legalize gay marriage when a bill fell far short of passage Thursday in the state Senate. By a 20-14 vote, the Senate rejected the measure, despite a 100-minute debate dominated by legislators urging its passage and the presence of hundreds of gay rights activists.

Five state senators did not vote on the measure, including Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Camden, who is expected to be named the Senate president later this month, and Sen. James Beach, D-Camden. Sen. Andrew R. Ciesla, R-Ocean, was absent. Sen. Bill Baroni Jr., R-Mercer, was the only one of the upper house’s 17 Republicans to vote for the legislation.

…

After the vote, gay rights activists vowed to go to the state Supreme Court, where they planned to argue that the state’s civil union law has failed to provide equal rights and that the current law is a violation of the freedom of religion for those denominations that recognize homosexual marriage.

Full Story from the Daily Record: http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100108/COMMUNITIES/301080004/1005/news01/Activists-plan-NJ-Supreme-Court-fight

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in defeated, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage, senate, supreme court, vote | No Responses »

NJ: Gay Marriage Bill Defeated in Senate by 20-14

Friday, January 8th, 2010

A bill which would legalise gay marriage in New Jersey failed in the state Senate yesterday. It was defeated by 20-14 votes. The vote was a last-ditch bid to push the bill through before new governor Chris Christie takes office later this month. He has said he does not support marriage for same-sex couples.

A vote in December was delayed because supporting senators did not believe the bill had enough votes to pass. Current governor Jim Corzine said he was “deeply disappointed” the bill did not pass.

Gay rights advocates are already planning a legal challenge against the decision.

Full Story from Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/08/gay-marriage-bill-fails-in-new-jersey-senate/

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in defeated, Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage, senate, vote | No Responses »

NJ: Senate to Vote on Gay Marriage Bill Tomorrow

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

New Jersey’s Senate will vote tomorrow on gay marriage in a final attempt to pass the bill before a new governor takes office. A vote was cancelled in early December after Democrats were reportedly concerned the bill did not have enough votes to pass.

Outgoing governor Jim Corzine has said he will sign the bill but his successor Chris Christie takes over later on January 19th and has made his opposition to gay marriage clear.

If successful in the Senate, the bill must pass the Assembly before going for governor approval.

Full Story from Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/01/06/new-jersey-in-last-ditch-vote-on-gay-marriage/

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, same sex marriage, senate, Thursday, vote | No Responses »

NJ: Could a Republican Help Bring Gay Marriage to New Jersey?

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Contrary to popular belief, New Jersey’s same sex marriage equality legislation isn’t dead yet. When the bill cleared the state Senate Judiciary Committee last month, marriage equality supporters didn’t see the votes in the full body and decided to move it in the state Assembly first to create some momentum.

But though they have the votes, the Assembly leadership wasn’t going to play along. They insisted the Senate vote first (and have promised to move the bill on Monday if it clears the upper chamber). The Senate votes Thursday.

Currently, there are five Democratic Senators voting no. That means at least three Republicans are needed to pass. Right now, there is only one — which is still one more than the New York state Senate had.

Full Story from the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-bohrer/the-republican-who-might_b_413057.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in New Jersey.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, marriage equality, new jersey, nj, republican, same sex marriage | No Responses »

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