Trenton, NJ - Today the New Jersey Family Policy Council joined with a diverse group of church leaders, denominational heads and organizational networks called the “Trenton Group” to call on the New Jersey State Legislature to pass the Equal Benefits Act of 2007 to conform to the mandate imposed on it by the NJ Supreme Court. The Equal Benefits Act would provide for the unique definition of marriage as being the union of one man and one woman. At the same time it would make the civil benefits available for those people who cannot have access to the benefits of marriage. “The key point to the Equal Benefits Act is that it is inclusive, nondiscriminatory and at the same time protects the meaning of marriage,” stated Len Deo, President of the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

“There are many families who cannot have access to the benefits of marriage because their living arrangements are outside the realm of marriage, for example, two elderly women who are domiciled together, or perhaps a grandparent and grandchild. The Supreme Court neglected to look at all these other living arrangements when considering the Lewis v. Harris lawsuit and frankly we believe their failure to look at these arrangements to be discriminatory,” Deo added.

“The legislature should set social policy and approve laws for the entire state of New Jersey and the judiciary should interpret the law,” Len Deo continued. “The NJ Supreme Court has rendered an activist ruling once again, this time with regard to marriage. However, through the creative genius of many attorneys and legal scholars we are now able to offer this alternative to the Legislature which we believe solves this complex problem,” Deo stated.  

“On the definition of marriage it is time to “Let the People Decide” and we urge the Legislature to send a State Constitutional Amendment to the ballot protecting marriage clearly as the union of one man and one woman. The Supreme Court has definitely tinkered with the definition of marriage and has left no other option to the people. Their voice needs to be heard as it has in other states where activist judges have attempted to radically redefine marriage,” concluded Deo.

The New Jersey Family Policy Council is allied with the Trenton Group, Marriage Law Project, The Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, the Alliance Defense Fund and the New Jersey Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage. Millions of Americans and New Jerseyans support these and other state-based allied organizations working to protect and preserve the definition of marriage.

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