NJ Ordered to Pass Gay Civil Union Bill

By Erick Stakelbeck

CBN News-Terror Analyst

December 15, 2006

CBNNews.com - The bill passed by a wide margin in both the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate. It will give the same rights and privileges to same-sex couples that married couples enjoy- including adoption, hospital visitation, and inheritance rights. Even so, gay activists weren't entirely satisfied.

"It is a bitter-sweet day for the gay community. It is not marriage equality. We want marriage equality, not a civil unions bill. But we are only ten yards away from the touchdown of marriage equality," said Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality.

The bill was drafted after the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered the legislature to make marriage, or its equivalent, available to same-sex couples.

In its October ruling, the court required the state to act within 180 days. Critics called the court's decision a case of judicial activism, and say it undermines traditional marriage

"When you start to redefine the institution of marriage, society begins to break down in its respect for marriage, parental rights.children, you know, say 'who are my parents'.and we're seeing that coming out of various countries now," said Len Deo of the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

New Jersey joins Connecticut and Vermont as states that honor civil unions. Massachusetts remains the only state to allow gay marriage.

Officials could begin granting civil unions 60 days after the governor signs the legislation. One state senator said the decision does not reflect the view of the people in his district. He said he'll seek to add an amendment to the bill defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Translate Page