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The "Freedom
of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act" (A2978,
S1967)
was introduced in the 213th Legislature*. This legislation
defined “Marriage” as meaning “the legally
recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed
relationship”. It further states that “Whenever the term ‘marriage’
occurs or the term ‘man,’ ‘woman,’ ‘husband’ or ‘wife’
occurs in the context of marriage or any reference is made thereto
in any law, statute, rule, regulation or order, the same shall be
deemed to mean or refer to the union of two persons pursuant to this
amendatory and supplementary act.”
The “Freedom of
Religion” provided under the act only protected religions from
having to perform the provisions specified WITHIN the act itself. We
didn't need a same-sex marriage bill to define what religious
freedoms are.
When same-sex
marriage supporter, Governor Jon Corzine, was defeated in the November
2009 election, the sponsors of these bills feared their bills would be
vetoed by incoming Governor Chis Christie. The sponsors forced the issue
during the lame-duck session of the Legislature ultimately forcing the
bill to the Senate floor where it was defeated 20-14 on January 7, 2010.
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Against
20 (D-6, R-14)
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In
Favor 14 (D-13, R-1)
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Christopher
Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth)
Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Gerald Cardinale (R-Demarest)
Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
John A. Girgenti (D-Hawthorne)
Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)
Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Kevin J. OToole (R-Essex)
Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville)
Ronald L Rice (D- Essex)
Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen)
Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) |
Bill
Baroni (R-Mercer)
Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex)
Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Robert M. Gordon (D-Fair Lawn)
Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Joseph F. Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), co-sponsor
Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) |
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Abstain
3 (D-3, R-0)
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Absent
(D-2, R-3)
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James
Beach (D-Camden)
Paul A. Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge)
Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester) |
Diane
B. Allen (R-Burlington)
Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean)
Dana Redd (D) resigned as Camden mayor |
* The 212th
Legislature had its own version of this Bill entitled the “Civil
Marriage and Religious Protection Act.” (A3685,
S2898).
Note how the name was adjusted while being moved under the shells.
The new name further increases its stealth nature. Below are the
sponsors of the Bills with links to their web pages and contacts
"Freedom
of Religion" and Equality in Civil Marriage Act
213th Legislature |
Civil
Marriage and "Religious Protection" Act
212th Legislature |
| Assembly
No. 2978
- Introduced June 16, 2008
Sponsored By:
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, District 15 (D-Mercer
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, District 37 (D-Bergen)
Assemblyman John F. McKeon, District 27 (D-Essex)
Assemblywoman
Mila M. Jasey, District 27 (D-Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner, District 38 (D-Bergen)
Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, District 29 (D-Essex)
Assemblywoman Pamela Lampit, District 6 (D-Camden)
Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley, District 32 (D-Hudson)
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, District 35 (D-Passaic)
Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman*, District 15 (D-Mercer)
Assemblyman
Ruben J. Ramos Jr., District 33 (D-Hudson)
Assemblyman
Gordon M. Johnson, District 37 (D-Bergen)
* Majority Leader
Senate No.
1967 -
Introduced June 9, 2008
Sponsored By:
Senator Loretta Weinberg, District 37 (D-Bergen)
Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, District 20 (D-Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator
Barbara Buono, District 18 (D-Middlesex)
Senator
M. Teresa Ruiz, District 29 (D-Essex)
Senator
Sandra B. Cunningham**, District 31 (D-Hudson)
** Majority Whip |
Assembly
No. 3685 - Introduced
November 20, 2006
Sponsored By:
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, District 15 (D-Mercer
Assemblyman Mims Hackett, Jr., District 27 (D-Essex)
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, District 37 (D-Bergen)
Assemblyman John F. Mckeon, District 27 (D-Essex)
Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson, District 37 (D-Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman William D. Payne, District 29 (D-Essex)
Assemblyman Brian P. Stack, District 33 (D-Union)
Senate No. 2898
-
Introduced
November 29, 2007
Sponsored By:
Senator Loretta Weinberg, District 37 (D-Bergen)
Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, District 20 (D-Union)
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