N.J. Legislature OKs Same-Sex Civil Unions

Under pressure from New Jersey's highest court to offer marriage or its equivalent to gay couples, the Legislature voted Thursday to make New Jersey the third state to allow civil unions.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine said he would sign the measure, which would extend to same-sex couples all the rights and privileges available under state law to married people. The bill passed the Assembly 56-19 and the Senate 23-12.

New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled in October that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexuals in New Jersey, but that lawmakers must determine whether the state will honor gay marriage or some other form of civil union.

Advocates on both sides of the issue had believed the relatively liberal New Jersey high court had the best chance of approving gay marriages since Massachusetts became the only state to do so in 2003.

But the high court stopped short of fully approving gay marriage in the state — it had given lawmakers 180 days to rewrite marriage laws to either include same-sex couples or create new civil unions.

"Although we cannot find that a fundamental right to same-sex marriage exists in this state, the unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated under our state Constitution," Justice Barry T. Albin wrote for the 4-3 majority's decision.

Gay couples in New Jersey can already apply for domestic partnerships under a law the Legislature passed in 2004 giving gay couples some benefits of marriage, such as the right to inherit possessions if there is no will and health care coverage for state workers.

"The issue is not about the transformation of the traditional definition of marriage, but about the unequal dispensation of benefits and privileges to one of two similarly situated classes of people," the court said in its 4-3 October ruling.

Cases similar to New Jersey's are pending in California, Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland.

Until this ruling, gay marriage supporters had a two-year losing streak, striking out in state courts in New York and Washington state and in ballot boxes in 15 states where constitutions have been amended to ban same-sex unions.

[pakaal]

ThisMyHeart, thanks for sharing your views and comments, I appreciate it.

[thismyheart]

My last post,

It happens even in families, yeah... all families, across cultures and religions. I am called to reach %u201Chigher%u201D in how I live my life, write my representatives and cast my vote.

I have learned from experience that following Jesus in belief and example, and my Christian convictions as best I can allows me to treat most in ways that are respectful and fruitful. It says in the Bible that obedience is like a sweet fragrance to God, and pleases Him. I have experienced blessings and abundant life, redemption, restoration love and a peace that surpasses all understanding. I have had the experience of wiser decisions through seeking guidance in God%u2019s word and have had the privilege of being able to be used in witnessing and loving others...

Thank you, be well,

My Best Regards,

[thismyheart]

This now is in reverse sequence in what will be four parts.
Now I will tell you more of why I seek God%u2019s solace and direction. I am aware of where this may go in a different way and though it may not be the intention of these couples same *** union... there is the beginning of something here that we have not experienced before. My siblings and I were victims of sexual and physical abuse. Something was robbed and because somebody in our family had %u201Cpower%u201D, injustice was ignored, our sorrow is still minimized and we still experience dismissal and being treated as if we are of lower worth. There has been the treatment of favoritism for those that can look the other way or enable otherwise. I was removed from the home and later experienced healing in living and attended school abroad, an international school. Also, I was in the care, fellowship and ministry of the missionary families that at the time resided there. My siblings and I have suffered in silence until recently. We had been alienated because of this and never experienced the greater gift of having a deep, loving and meaningful family bond. We still love the person that did this to us, forgive them, but we also experienced years of brokenness, great depression and shame. What they did to us as children was not wanted by us and was not love. We came together recently and affirmed each other, to say, please do not allow this to continue into the next generation.

[thismyheart]

Please note below first, response in sequence. Actually, I was informed about some bad way in which people were being victimized in Sudan from a classmate at a reunion. It had effected another very close loved friend and classmate neurologically, a severe mental breakdown. He was not able to help his country in terms of this siege. Who was behind it came out more recently.

[thismyheart]

Never knew that about these American Indian tribes, then it has always been a part of our history, and Biblical history that such has existed.

Our responsibility as voters continues and should continue to be mindful to the welfare of children, family and higher society.

Yes, we benefit Pakal from living in a secular society. As voters, we independently and collectively represent and should be comfortable with our views and values. We need to make way for this issue to be considered and considered well. We should also look at how it will affect the parallel issues that we face.

You have my respect; I can see now that you are not prejudice. You enjoy a good debate.

I am well traveled, my whole entire life, and have lived in other countries. I have seen, smelled and tasted the differences in culture, which are not Christian, and in all other ways except where there is conflict in practice, I have integrated into and embraced theirs.

[pakaal]

ThisMyHeart, Native Americans in history were both aware of and inclusive of what is commonly called a "berdache". Typically men, the custom would include marriage to another male member of the tribe. This history includes people of the Navaho, Lakota, Mohave, Zuni, Aleut, Kodiak... Your statement that "The roles of gender were more clearly defined in these first cultures and sub-cultures" is a bit misleading - they accepted G/L as equal members of society.

Yes, many of the founding members of this country were escaping religious persecution. They wanted many things, including freedom of religion and freedom from what they felt was unjust control by England. That's why the framework of our country's laws include these freedoms. I think if we apply the same way of thinking now, more people would realize that our "religious freedom" right is about letting people practice in their own fashion (subject to basic laws like not killing people, etc.), not about telling others what religious beliefs they can have.

[thismyheart]

Commenting on... %u201CBut our nation is built on tolerance; when we encounter something we may personally feel is wrong, we're still obliged to "live and let live".%u201D

The Christian faith teaches love and tolerance in acceptance of others, but not necessarily agreement.

The nation%u2019s first documented settlers came to this country for %u201CReligious Freedom%u201D. Others perhaps only to explore, trade, live off the land and utilize the new and rich resources... but then again maybe also to worship, maybe not...

The American Indian culture was already here, and there is great respect for Mother Earth and the responsible use of her resources in their beliefs.

The roles of gender were more clearly defined in these first cultures and sub-cultures.

I guess when we consider the wild wild West there is the perception that ************ always existed. Spelling that out differently so it posts, it is not a bad word I guess. This does not imply that these people seeking union are such, contrary. But that some people doing anything will always affect others that have more specific definitions of their convictions. That is where I am more personally concerned about motive, misuse.

[pakaal]

guysdigdirt, thanks for that. Sometimes it's hard to find honest questions and answers in these comments. If your question is why the G/L focus on "traditional marriage", well... I don't know for sure. This tradition is supposed to be one of the most sacred acts in the eyes of God, and my assumption is that they have as much desire to be wedded in a church ceremony as any other couple who wants to do the same.

As you can figure by my posts, I don't have the same emotional investment in the act of marriage as others posting here like yourself and ThisMyHeart. Don't mistake this for disrespect of your religion, just that I don't agree that some people's interpretation of God's Will or Law should determine whether two people can commit to a loving relationship in a church willing to marry them.

[pakaal]

"Do you have a family or come from one?" Is that a trick question? Of course I have a family! As far as I know ALL humans come from other humans - family.

As for your many questions, each person decides what we feel is "safe" for kids, what we want them to watch, read on the Internet, keep them healthy, etc. My moral 'compass' comes from years of visiting countries around the world and understanding that basic human rights are universal. Yours comes from the Bible. Neither is better or worse.

"Christian families are under fire everyday for only wanting the safety of their families and the freedom to raise their children in the faith."

In what way are Christian families under fire? I know in other countries, Christians are tortured and killed, but I haven't heard of cases in the US where people are dragged out of their homes because they're Christian, or told not to pray in their own homes, or attacked for wearing a crucifix around their neck. I'd like to know how you are "under fire" in the US for being Christian.

[guysdigdirt]

Pakal,
I will not argue that the union of a GL couple is any less important as a hetero couple. I think they deserve all the same rights. But does that mean they have to be married, as we know it today? Cannot they get their own union? Do they need the traditional marriage to be a legit couple?