Foiled Again: NJ Senate Rejects Gay Marriage

I'm detecting a pattern here. A month after the Democrat-controlled New York State Senate rejected gay marriage, today the Democrat-controlled New Jersey State Senate followed suit.

The state Senate rejected a same-sex marriage bill today, a major victory for opponents who contend the measure would infringe on religious freedom and is not needed because the state already permits civil unions.

The 20-14 vote defeating the measure followed an hour and a half of public debate inside the packed Senate chamber. The nearly thousand supporters and opponents of the bill held rallies on the Statehouse steps.

Statewide polls have shown New Jersey residents closely divided on same-sex marriage, and leading up to today’s vote, indicators showed a majority of the senators opposing the measure.

Moments after the vote, hundreds of gay-rights supporters filled the sidewalk on West State Street in front of the Statehouse. Christi Surmont, 33, of Hamilton, was near tears.

"We were holding out hope that we'd be able to get married and have full citizenship," she said of her and her partner. "But now we'll have to settle for second-class citizenship. For now. We're not done fighting."

She said they would seek a civil union if the current effort failed in the courts.

Momentum for the bill grew after Gov. Jon Corzine lost the November election. He has promised to sign the measure before Gov.-elect Chris Christie takes office. Christie has said he opposes the bill.

After the vote, Corzine said he was appreciative the bill was publicly debated, but was "deeply disappointed by the final tally on this common-sense measure that would have assured equal rights for all New Jerseyans."

Now maybe Corzine will go away. In all likelihood into the Obama administration, of course.

Thirteen Democrats and one Republican voted in favor. Six Democrats voted against along with 14 Republicans. Three Democrats abstained with two Republicans absent.

Vote here.

This was a sneaky last-minute attempt by Corzine to leave some sort of "legacy" after an abysmal four years in office.

It's over, Jonny.

As for proponents, they complain civil union legislation enacted several years ago is flawed. Perhaps their focus should be working with the Senate and new Governor Chris Christie to improve that law. Carping and moaning over another defeat isn't going to help the cause.

Thanks to Drew at AoS for the link.