The Boss thinks it’s high time that gay marriage came to the Garden State, Bruce Springsteen stated unequivocally on his Web site.
“Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I’ve been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton,” Springsteen wrote of the gay-marriage bill that has been winding its way through the state legislature and is up for a crucial vote on Thursday.
The proposed bill passed through the state Senate’s Judiciary Committee earlier this week by one vote, but Democrats fear it may fall short of the 21 votes needed to pass in the state Senate. While the state Assembly hasn’t considered the bill yet, supporters are hoping for a quick passage, as Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie – who takes office in January – has promised to veto the bill. Outgoing Governor Corzine has said he would sign the bill if it reaches him before his term is up.
“I’ve long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same-sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, ‘The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is – a civil-rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.’ I couldn’t agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now.”
The crucial vote comes a week after the New York State Senate defeated a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriages. If New Jersey passes the measure, it will join Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Iowa as the only states that allow same-sex marriage. Maine passed a law allowing gay marriage earlier this year, but it was repealed in a referendum in November.
