NJ Governor: Establish Same-Sex Marriage Sooner Rather Than Later

Indeed, the commission found the opposite--that civil unions may have widened that gap and fostered inequity by creating a separate class of relationships. While this administration is focused squarely on the economic crisis for the forseeable future, it's clear that this issue of civil rights must be addressed sooner rather than later.

The report compared denying same-sex couples the right to marry to racial segregation laws imposed against African-Americans for decades. Corzine urged the state to quickly enact same-sex marriage, saying New Jersey's civil unions law

hasn't done enough to narrow the gap

and same-sex marriage should be established in New Jersey

sooner rather than later.

But it's unclear whether the NJ Legislature will take up the issue. Senate President Richard Codey said equality must come in "incremental steps,"  which seems pretty unfair and ridiculous. How many more incremental steps are necessary and how long will people have to tiptoe around the idea of civil marriage equality?

State Senator Codey added:

I believe that society's view of this issue is coming around in favor of same-sex marriage and this report, underscoring the many inequalities that still exist, will further advance that belief.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts said the report:

...should spark a renewed sense of purpose and urgency to overcoming one of society's last remaining barriers to full equality for all residents. As I have said many times before, same-sex marriage in New Jersey is only a matter of 'when,' not 'if.

The governor and all 80 members of the Assembly are up for re-election next year.

However, New Jersey Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage, which opposes civil marriage equality, has pledged to continue the push for an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

This makes New Jersey's 2009 election vital in order to assure marriage rights.