The Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) fully supports the current effort by the leaders of both houses of the State legislature to pass legislation for marriage equality this term. It is heartening to see that this time, unlike two years ago when the Senate voted down the issue, it is the legislators themselves who are leading the effort. This is a sign that our representatives are beginning to catch up to the New Jersey public on this issue.

In 2010, the perception of our representatives in Trenton was that supporting marriage equality was a risky move. The State Senate voted 20-14 against the measure, with several Democrats either abstaining or voting no. Only one Republican had the courage to vote yes. Many of those who abstained or voted no have changed their position, including current Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester). He and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) both feel they now have a solid majority in their respective houses to pass the bill.

Polls have shown that public opinion on this issue has been moving toward greater acceptance in recent years to the point where a majority in New Jersey now supports marriage equality. Unfortunately, Governor Chris Christie has previously stated that he would veto a marriage equality bill. He hasn't taken a position on the current effort, saying only that he would make a decision if and when the bill passes both houses.

New Jersey passed a civil union law in 2006 when the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples must have equal rights. Governor Christie says he opposes marriage for same-sex couples but supports civil unions as a separate but equal institution, even though civil unions have been shown to not be equal. Governor Christie says he would support a strengthening of the civil union law, but as history has shown us in other civil rights issues, separate will never be equal.

Even if Governor Christie maintains his opposition and vetoes a bill that passes the Legislature, this legislative effort is still worthwhile. Last June Lambda Legal filed a suit on behalf of Garden State Equality and several gay couples in Superior Court, claiming civil unions are not equal to marriage and therefore the state is in violation of the 2006 Supreme Court order. Between the public opinion polls, the support of the Legislature and the evidence of inequality presented at trial, the Supreme Court may this time around find that marriage equality is an idea whose time has come.

GAAMC has fought for the rights of LGBT people since its founding in 1972, from the overhaul of the penal code in 1976, to amending the Law Against Discrimination to protect sexual orientation in 1992 and gender identity in 2006, to the domestic partnership law in 2004 and civil unions in 2006. We will continue to advocate for marriage equality and all other rights of the LGBT community. We look forward to the day when all New Jersey citizens enjoy the rights guaranteed by the US Constitution and the NJ Constitution.

• Mickey Suiter, President
• Kerry Dinkin, Vice President for Community Services
• Bill Stella, Vice President for Operations
• Andy Skurna, Treasurer
• Gordon Sauer, Secretary
• John DeLeeuw, Trustee
• Ron Kennedy, Trustee
• Claire Pompei, Trustee
• Mitch Rubin, Trustee
• Alexa Vasios, Trustee