Judge
Says New Jersey Can Begin Allowing Same-Sex Marriages in Two Weeks
Last year, the New
Jersey Legislature had passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage, but it was
vetoed by Republican Gov. Chris
Christie. The Legislature has until January to override that veto, but the
Democrats need Republican votes to win that override, but unfortunately many
Republicans have been wary of crossing Mr. Christie. On Thursday October 10,
Judge Mary C. Jacobson took things into her own hands and cleared the way for
same-sex marriages to start in New Jersey by October 21, dismissing the state’s
request to prevent the weddings until after an appeal of the court decision
allowing them is complete. Keeping same-sex couples waiting while appellate
review is pursued would continue to violate the equal protection rights of New
Jersey same-sex couples. The New Jersey Supreme Court actually ruled in 2006
that the state had to grant same-sex couples the same rights and protections as
heterosexual couples, but left it to the Legislature to decide how to do so.
The Legislature ended up allowing civil unions, which is basically irrelevant
since they don’t provide the same benefits as marriage. Judge Jacobson ruled in
September that for that reason, the state had to offer marriages, not just
civil unions, so that same-sex couples could get equal benefits. But before
anything can go into effect, the plaintiffs will have to respond to the state’s
request to appeal the decision by October 15. Although the court has stepped in
and began to halt to all of this politically divided nonsense, the safest,
surest, quickest route to marriage equality still remains with the Legislature.
Why is it still such
a struggle to grant same-sex couples the same marriage benefits as heterosexual
couples? If it wasn’t for proactive individuals like Judge Jacobson, New Jersey
would still be in a stand still. Do you think it will be possible for all fifty
states to eventually have equal marriage rights for same-sex couples?
Why is it still such a struggle? “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke/Charles F Aked
ReplyDeleteAs long as people sit back and say that it doesn't affect me, it will continue to be a struggle. Thus the emphasis in our code of ethics on pursuing social change. Though after thinking of this quote, I realized that both sides of the argument will use it, each believing the other to be the one in the wrong.
I think that yes, if things continue as they are now, eventually all fifty states will have equal marriage rights. I say this, because I can't imagine NOT continuing in this vein. Anything else would be a leap back.
I don't discount the thought, however, that with a change in leadership, all the advances of recent history could be rolled back. After all, the dark ages came after the glory of Rome.
I've never heard of the quote that Jeri used in her comment but it really does apply to the situation of same-sex marriage. (This article would have been even more helpful for me if I had seen it before my debate yesterday. :-) ) I think it is also such a struggle because Americans are so stuck in their old-fashioned ways and anything out of the ordinary scares us. This is also when the issue of religion comes into play in a substantial way. Civil unions are a way for New Jersey to keep same-sex couples on that "stepping stone" until they are ready to legalize the all rights for them and transition to same-sex marriage. I applaud Judge Jacobson for trying to plunge full speed ahead and get the ball rolling in favor of same-sex marriage. I do believe that sometime in my lifetime that same-sex marriage will be legal in all states but we need to stop sitting back on the sidelines and do something about it.
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