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New Jersey
In October 2006, the NJ Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in recognition of the equal needs and common humanity of committed same-sex couples and their kids. The Court said these American families are entitled to equal rights and responsibilities under the law. The legislature was told to pass legislation representing this decision. Unfortunately, New Jersey's legislature quickly passed a civil unions bill which took affect in January 2007. Incremental steps such as civil unions do provide some protections and responsibilities, but ultimately, marriage is the only status which achieves true fairness and equality. State advocacy organizations and citizens across New Jersey continue to work towards marriage equality.
Along with passing the civil union bill, the legislature set up a Civil Union Review Commission to study the implementation of civil unions and whether or not they fulfill the court's ruling. The commission has found ample evidence that civil unions are separate and unequal to marriage, and indeed are failing New Jersey families. The New Jersey legislature is expected to take up the issue of the failing civil union law.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
Today is Freedom to Marry Day – Just Don't Say "Gay Marriage"!
As Americans across the country celebrate Freedom to Marry Day today, seizing the opportunity to have conversations with family members, friends, and coworkers about the importance of ending same-sex couples' exclusion from marriage, hopefully they'll talk a lot about gay couples and why marriage matters – without saying “gay marriage” and “same-sex marriage.”
Building on 2007
In 2008, it is due season for the redeeming of our country, for justice for all families, and for that all-important second state. The work of winning begins with the conversations each one of us has with those around us, as we become the change we seek.
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Garden State Equality
Garden State Equality didn't invent activism for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex civil rights in New Jersey, to be sure. But opinion leaders credit the organization with reinventing that activism dramatically.
Civil Unions Don't Work
You can witness the failure of New Jersey's civil union law through eight hours of evidence captured on videotape, read a report on the law, and much more.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN NEW JERSEY:
Your Community—New Jersey
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
A majority (63%) of New Jersey voters say they’d be fine with the state legislature upgrading civil unions to marriage equality, over twice the percentage of those who oppose such a change. [Zogby International, August 2007]
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PUBLICATIONS:
The Impact of Extending Marriage to Same-Sex Couples on the New Jersey Budget
The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law released a new research study analyzing the economic gains that marriage equality in New Jersey would bring.
First Interim Report of the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission
The New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission published a report which determined New Jersey's civil union law "is not clear to the general public" and "creates a second-class status" for those who have filed for civil unions, among many other challenges that prove the law does not accomplish what it was intended to do--provide protections and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples and their families.
Candidates' Guide on How to Support Marriage Equality and Get Elected
Freedom to Marry
August 7, 2007
Americans are hungry for, and respect, candidates who speak up for what they believe and value. When addressing marriage equality for same-sex couples, candidates should be authentic and direct about their values and the policies of fairness that flow from them.
Pro-Marriage Incumbents and Candidates Win Elections
Freedom to Marry
July 26, 2007
Taking a stand to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage does not hurt incumbents or candidates in their elections.
Unanimous NJ High Court decision requires equal treatment for gay couples and their families
Four justices said gay and lesbian couples must be given all the rights and protections of marriage. Three, including retiring Chief Justice Poritz and new Chief Justice Zazzali, would have ended the exclusion from marriage immediately. It is now up to the legislature to finish the job.
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NEWS:
View news about the fight for the freedom to marry in New Jersey.
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MULTIMEDIA:
Civil Unions Don't Work
Watch videos explaining why civil unions don't work and learn more about what is going on in New Jersey to win marriage equality.
RADIO AD: Help
Listen to Garden State Equality's radio commercial about how civil unions don't work, produced by Tom Oppel of All Points Communications.
New Jersey's Chief Opponent of Marriage Equality Says Letting Same-Sex Couples Marry Would Not Affect His Marriage
February 20, 2008
New Jersey’s chief opponent of marriage equality, John Tomicki of the New Jersey Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage, stated yesterday that marriage equality for same-sex couples would not affect his marriage. His sweeping, quite puzzled response, “Why would it?” demolishes the argument that ending discrimination in marriage would destroy the institution.
Busy Family
YouTube.com
November 6, 2007
Garden State Equality's commercial "Busy Family" is a cinema verite-style portrait of a real-life same-sex couple at home with their two kids. As the couple feeds their kids in a busy scene typical of any family, President Bush is seen on a television in their living room, delivering a speech to Congress about his belief that committed same-sex couples should be banned from marriage.
The story behind 'Think Equal'
Think Equal Ads
Blue Jersey
December 11, 2006
After the elections, I had been thinking about the NJ Supreme Court's decision on same-sex couples, and wanted to do something for equality.
I wasn't quite sure what I — a straight political junkie kid — had to offer... One of the things we felt we could address is how the netroots talks about marriage. Often, we ignore the substance of the issue to discuss the politics — how the right uses it as a distraction, how silly their attacks are, and what's the best way for candidates to approach the issue. In doing so, it makes us think marriage is being discussed, but it's really not.
Video archive of the Supreme Court's oral arguments
February 15, 2006
Listen to oral arguments in New Jersey's marriage equality case.
Laurel Hester Commercial
Garden State Equality
View an ad that Garden State Equality aired for marriage equality on News 12 New Jersey.
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You can witness the failure of New Jersey's civil union law through eight hours of evidence captured on videotape, read a report on the law, and much more.
The New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission published a report February 19, 2008 which determined New Jersey's civil union law "is not clear to the general public" and "creates a second-class status" for those who have filed for civil unions, among many other challenges that prove the law does not accomplish what it was intended to do--provide protections and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples and their families.
Garden State Equality's commercial "Busy Family" is a cinema verite-style portrait of a real-life same-sex couple at home with their two kids. As the couple feeds their kids in a busy scene typical of any family, President Bush is seen on a television in their living room, delivering a speech to Congress about his belief that committed same-sex couples should be banned from marriage.
