Tag: marriage equality

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey

Fantastic op-ed from the editorial board of the Newark Star-Ledger today:

Christie’s words — leave it to voters, not judges or politicians — portray a man who wants history to take its own course, without meddling from the government. His actions, on the other hand, have stonewalled New Jersey’s march toward equality at every turn. Christie could borrow a page from President Obama, who allowed his stance on same-sex marriage to evolve and ultimately dropped the federal government’s defense of the doomed Defense of Marriage Act. Or from Christie’s own party, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who reversed course on same-sex marriage after learning his son is gay.

Christie says New Jersey’s best path toward a marriage equality decision is to hold a referendum. That gives Christie his political out — and leaves the basic rights of gay people subject to the whims of a political campaign. The civil liberties of a minority shouldn’t be subject to majority rule. The popular consensus on same-sex marriage is inevitable. Christie can position himself on the right side of history, in this case, simply by getting out of its way.

(h/t JMG)

From the Associated Press:

A New Jersey judge has denied a request from Gov. Chris Christie’s administration to delay the start of gay marriage in the state until after a legal appeal is final.

“Granting a stay would simply allow the state to continue to violate the equal protection rights of New Jersey same-sex couples, which can hardly be considered a public interest,” Judge Mary Jacobson wrote.

The ruling Thursday from Judge Mary Jacobson moves the state a step closer to start recognizing same-sex nuptials on Oct. 21. That’s the day Jacobson had said in a previous ruling that the marriages had to be allowed.

But Christie’s administration is expected to appeal the denial to a higher court. The administration has already asked the state Supreme Court to reverse Jacobson’s earlier ruling that the state has to allow gay couples to get married.

On a recent campaign stop at the Edison Diner in New Jersey, one of the voters in attendance, Bert Bueno, brought up the issue of marriage equality and asked why Gov. Christie opposed the legislation:

“How come you’re in opposition?” Bueno, a straight woman, asked the Republican leader.

“Listen: Lots of different people have different views on this,” Christie responded. “I think marriage should be between a man and a woman. … My view is: If you want to change it, put it on the ballot. Let everybody decide. It shouldn’t be decided by courts. It shouldn’t be decided by politicians in Trenton. It should be decided by everybody. If the majority of the people of New Jersey want same-sex marriage, I’ll enforce the law.”

In a four-minute exchange, Christie claimed that he has gay friends and relatives, and he contested Bueno’s stance that marriage equality is “a human rights issue.”

“The fact is: We’ve been very supportive of a lot of other things, like banning gay conversion therapy,” said Christie, who signed a bill last month that banned use of the discredited practice on minors. “This is an issue where we have an honest difference of opinion. OK, so you put it on the ballot — you vote your way, I vote my way. And whoever gets the most votes wins.”

A recent poll found that 62% of registered New Jersey voters support the September 27 decision of Superior Court judge Mary Jacobson to legalize same-sex marriage, which would go into effect October 21, barring any delays or appeals on the Governor’s behalf.

(via Advocate)