Feb. 17, 2012
Today In Same-Sex Marriage News of the Day: As expected, New Jersey governor Chris Christie vetoed the state’s same-sex marriage bill a day after it was approved by the state Assembly.
The state Senate passed the bill earlier this week.
“I am adhering to what I’ve said since this bill was first introduced – an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide,” said Christie, who reiterated his call for a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage.
“It’s unfortunate that the governor would let his own personal ideology infringe on the rights of thousands of New Jerseyans,” said openly gay assemblyman Reed Gusciora, one of the bill’s sponsors. “For all those who oppose marriage equality, their lives would have been completely unchanged by this bill, but for same-sex couples, their lives would have been radically transformed. Unfortunately, the governor couldn’t see past his own personal ambitions to honor this truth.”
Elsewhere, better news for fans of equal rights for all American citizens, as Maryland’s House of Delegates passed the state’s same-sex marriage bill (HB 438) by a vote of 71-67.
The legislation now heads to the state Senate, where it will need to pass the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee before moving on to the full Senate.
“The common thread running through our efforts together in Maryland is the thread of human dignity,” said Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley following the act’s passage. “The dignity of work, the dignity of faith, the dignity of family, the dignity of every individual. Love is an unalienable right.”
The Baltimore Sun reported that one of bill’s major proponents was none other than former vice president Dick Cheney. Cheney, whose daughter Mary is openly gay, is said to have extended an offer to meet with at least one high-profile Republican delegate, and discuss his vote.
[ap / think / bmoresun / photo: gse.]
