Christie Drops Appeal To Gay Marriage Decision
Same Sex Nuptials Are Now Certain To Remain Legal in New Jersey
Kissing Brides, Heather Jensen and Amy Quinn, an Asbury Park Councilwoman, celebrate their marriage shortly after midnight this morning. facebook photo
Given the State Supreme Court’s signal that the Christie administration would not prevail in its appeal of Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson’s decision compelling the State to grant same sex couples the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples, Governor Chris Christie withdrew his appeal today, the first day that gay couples can wed in New Jersey under Jacobson’s order and the Supreme Court’s refusal to stay that order.
“Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,” said Colin Reed, a spokesman for Christie. “The governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court.”
State Senator Mike Doherty issued a statement condemning Christie for caving to the activist judiciary.
“As a member of the Legislature, I am disappointed that same-sex marriage is apparently now the law of New Jersey despite neither the enactment of legislation nor a vote of the people to amend our state constitution.
“For four years, Governor Christie has repeatedly stated that he supports traditional marriage and that the voters of New Jersey should decide this important issue. By dropping the state’s appeal, Governor Christie has acquiesced to the same judicial activism that he has long railed against. His action will ensure that the people of New Jersey, and its elected representatives in the legislature, will have no part in deciding this major, societal-changing issue. By refusing to challenge the court’s decision, he is also blocking the opportunity for third parties to present their case to the court via amicus briefs.”
Senator Barbara Buono, Christie’s opponent in the November 5 gubernatorial election, cheered the end of Christie’s “bigoted” appeals, according to PolitickerNJ.
“At long last, our gay brothers and sisters will now be afforded the same rights as all New Jerseyans,” Buono said in a statement.
“Despite Governor Christie’s efforts to block the rights of gays and lesbians at every turn, it took a determined effort by brave individuals and a unanimous decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court to force the Governor to drop his appeal.
“I am thrilled the court ended his ability to enforce his bigoted views that are contrary to the values of our state.
“I applaud all who have worked tirelessly for this day and promise to continue fighting to ensure that all are treated with respect and dignity.
“Congratulations to all the loving couples getting married as equality has finally come to New Jersey.
The State Legislature must now decide whether to override Christie’s veto of the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemptions Act, pass a new bill for Christie’s signature, or do nothing.
Doing nothing, or presenting Christie a bill without the protections afforded clergy and religious institutions who opposed to gay marriage in the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemptions act that was passed by the legislature in February, would inevitably lead to contentious litigation over the First Amendment Rights of religious objectors.
More from my site
Democratic Leader Wants No Religious Exceptions For Gay Marriage
O’Scanlon Reiterates His Support Of Gay Marriage
Christie Conditionally Vetos Marriage Equality and Religious Exemptions Act
Have Civil Unions Worked?
Gay married couple sues Catholic institution over medical benefits
Garden State Equality Launches Campaign To Convert Chick-fil-A Operators To Their Cause
Opinion: Same-Sex Marriage Poses No Political Threat to Gov. Christie
Gay Marriage and The Church
Both GOP Candidates Favor Marriage Equality
Quinnipiac poll: New Jersey Supports Gay Marriage, Wants A Referendum
Does these mean that Steve Goldstein is going to get a real job now and the GSE will shut it’s doors???
So those who follow their religious beliefs, Jewish and Christian, are bigots, according to Ms Buono.
Perhaps Ms. Buono should understand (speaking as a Christian of the Roman Catholic faith) that we do not judge others (lest we be judged), but choose to live according to principles a lot older and certainly a lot better than the current moral morass and cultural decline we find ourselves in.
Biblically speaking, the practice of homosexuality (whether male or female) is considered sinful (as is adultery). As a Christian, we are taught to condemn the sin and to pray for the sinner.
As the saying goes, “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”. Marriage as an institution, between one man and one woman, was not just for procreation of the human race, but also for the proper rearing of their offspring.
Same sex couples cannot procreate by themselves; that is a scientific fact.
Now the question will be whether religious institutions will be beset by the anti religious zealots and forced to perform same sex marriages.
I’d like to be in attendance when an Imam at a Mosque is forced to embrace same sex marriages. Now that might take some courage!
Christie has lost all chances of winning the Presidential nomination. No way will he garner enough Southern delegates now.
One reason for continuing the appeal would be religious exemptions. But the main reason would have been sticking to your guns and your word.
If he has move up aspirations, he ought to settle for running against Booker next year or the VP spot for a Conservative.
Just one person’s thoughts
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Politically this is a good move. With two weeks left before the election it gets gay marriage off of the front page of the Ledger.
Since the gay community got what it wanted now there is nothing to whine about. For a few days there will be some interest in the subject, but in about a week it will be dead as we move to something else such as the Obamacare CF. The 1% of the population that comprises the gay/lesbian community will have their weddings, will continue to rehab houses in Plainfield, and live quiet uneventful lives like the rest of us.
PS. Rutgers-Newark does not need Steve Goldstein. It was a contrived job. It has no value.
Note that there were religous exemptions included in the bill that Christie vetoed. The Legislature could have voted to overide that veto. It is likely that a new bill that includes either some or all of the exemptions that were in the original bill will be introduced.
of “bipartisanship!”