Bateman Calls for Same Sex Marriage to be Placed Before Voters in a Fair, Unbiased Manner
Trenton— Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset/Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called for same sex marriage to be decided by the voters of New Jersey.
In addressing the Committee during its consideration of S-1, the "Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act", Bateman said that he was willing to work with supporters and opponents alike to craft an unbiased and fair question on the issue in the form of either a Constitutional Amendment or statute enabled by referendum.
"This is an emotionally charged issue on which people of good will can reasonably disagree. It is also an issue that should not be used for any political purposes or posturing."
"I believe the only way to reach a resolution that reflects the true will of all the people we represent and erases politics from the equation is to place it directly before the voters."
"The question can take the form of a constitutional amendment, or as a statute triggered by approval by voters through referendum. The language should be negotiated between supporters and opponents so as to not tilt the scales toward one outcome or the other."
"It is my intention to work with any and all willing parties to advance this solution in the legislature. It is my hope that we, as elected leaders, can put politics aside and allow this highly charged issue to be decided directly by all the people of the state of New Jersey, whom we are sworn to represent."
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GUSCIORA DISAPPOINTED GOV IS HIDING BEHIND A BALLOT VOTE
(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) issued the following statement in reaction to Governor Christie’s recent announcement that the issue of same-sex marriage should be put on the ballot in November as a referendum:
“I thought the Governor indicated to us early on that he was going to be a leader. I am extremely disappointed that he has chosen instead to hide behind a call for a referendum on marriage equality rather than give his input on an important civil rights issue of the day. It is a shame he has put national political ambitions ahead of what should be encouraged as a vote of consciousness.
“Our state’s civil union law falls woefully short in recognizing a same sex couple’s ability to form marital bonds and all the rights that should accompany that. As public officials, we have a responsibility to correct this discrimination. If marriage is a contractual relationship sanctioned by the state government, then it should be done on an equitable basis,” said Gusciora.
EUSTACE URGES LEGISLATURE TO END ‘SEPARATE BUT EQUAL’ SYSTEM,
ENACT MARRIAGE EQUALITY
(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen), one of the Assembly’s newest members and only the second openly gay member, testified on Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging the legislature to pass true marriage equality to protect families like his own who have suffered at the hands of a “separate but equal” system.
“Having served as the Mayor of Maywood for four years, I performed countless weddings, about one-third of which were civil unions. Under the separate, but equal system we have, I continuously had to explain the distinctions between marriage and civil unions.
“I witnessed these distinctions first-hand last week when my partner of 31 years went into the hospital for open heart surgery. Do you know what it’s like to have to explain the nature of our relationship to the operating room surgeon or the attending nurse? It’s unfortunate that under the current civil union system, same sex couples are forced to have to explain and justify their relationships each and every day, and more unfortunate when it’s during a time of duress.
“My partner and I have been together over three decades and have raised two sons. By every traditional definition we are a family, except when it comes to our recognition under state law. I hope the state will put an end to this discrimination once and for all and make New Jersey a true leader in equality,” said Eustace.
