Marriage New Jersey: Battleground 2009
Posted December 5, 2008

This past election produced tremendous victories for marriage in several states. By a 56-44 percent margin, Arizona voters passed Proposition 102 banning same-sex marriage. Florida voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots against same-sex marriage, passing Amendment 2 with 62 percent of the vote. And in the most watched marriage battle in the country, Californians approved Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage.

Yet, despite these decisive triumphs for marriage, here in New Jersey and throughout the Northeast, pro-gay activists are continuing to plot to overthrow traditional marriage in pursuit of their radical agenda. According to an article entitled "Second Wind for Marriage Movement" and published this week in Bay Windows, the self-proclaimed largest GLBT newspaper in New England, pro-gay advocates are strategizing even now to secure recognition of gay “marriage” in New Jersey.

Specifically, MassEquality – a Massachusetts-based gay activist organization – is teaming up with Garden State Equality to fight against marriage in New Jersey.

Bay Windows Associate Editor Ethan Jacobs writes:

When MassEquality expanded its mission in 2007 to include working outside of Massachusetts it initially planned to limit its focus to New England, but [Executive Director Marc] Solomon said MassEquality would be actively involved next year in legislative efforts to win marriage in New Jersey and New York. Steven Goldstein, executive director of Garden State Equality, reached out to MassEquality after the November elections and proposed working together on political strategy and designing a field program.

Governor Corzine has already indicated he foresees the marriage issue potentially coming to the forefront in 2009. His support for the pro-gay movement is no secret, and this has served only to encourage pro-gay advocates.

“Garden State Equality and MassEquality are right now looking into having a close working relationship in our final push toward marriage equality,” Goldstein states in the Bay Windows article. “We in New Jersey think we have an excellent chance to become the first U.S. state to win marriage equality through legislation rather than through court order….” In fact, Goldstein stated he is “very optimistic we’re going to win marriage equality based on how close we are, and we’re very, very close.”

Solomon agreed, noting a “strong possibility” same-sex marriage legislation will succeed in New Jersey in 2009, and he predicts such a success in New Jersey and other Northeast states would impact pro-gay-marriage movements across the country.

Marriage between one man and one woman is the foundational cornerstone of society, and make no mistake about it – you cannot fundamentally destroy the makeup of the foundation without destroying the society that rests upon it.

For months, NJFPC has been calling on the state of New Jersey to let the people decide through a vote on a state constitutional amendment defining marriage once and for all as the union of one man and one woman. Across the country, Americans favor keeping marriage between one man and one woman, and we are confident New Jersey voters would vote the same. Yet, pro-gay advocates fear putting the measure before the citizens for a vote because they know it could signal the death knell for their radical agenda.

As we move into 2009, the battle for marriage in New Jersey will only intensify. Anti-marriage forces have already begun to mobilize, and we are prepared to meet them head-on. As the cornerstone of a healthy society and the proven best environment for raising healthy children, marriage as defined only between one man and one woman must not become an institution that existed “once upon a time.”

As the fight for marriage continues, we again call on the state of New Jersey to put the matter to rest once and for all and Let The People Decide!

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