The fight for marriage equality in New Jersey is continuing with a new campaign that includes national support. New Jersey United for Marriage launched July 24 at a press conference in Asbury Park. Garden State Equality and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey created the campaign to further efforts to make marriage equality a reality in the Garden State, along with national partners the American Unity Fund, Freedom to Marry, Gill Action and the Human Rights Campaign. Marriage-equality supporters from all over the state began gathering at the Asbury Park boardwalk Wednesday morning with signs that read “Standing up for families.” GSE executive director Troy Stevenson told the crowd marriage equality would be the law of the land soon. “We will win marriage in New Jersey this year,” Stevenson said. ACLU of New Jersey executive director Udi Ofer said the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in late June will help pave the way for marriage equality in New Jersey. “When SCOTUS struck down DOMA, New Jersey became the epicenter of the battle for marriage equality nationwide,” Ofer said. “Couples in states across the Eastern seaboard are eligible for federal benefits. New Jersey couples are not. We are changing that.” The push has support from local business owners, such as restaurant owner Jim Watt, who spoke at the conference. “Our local businesses will benefit from this,” Watt said. “There are tremendous opportunities that are lost for Asbury Park businesses without marriage equality.” The awareness-raising efforts of NJ United for Marriage will focus both on the legislation and litigation surrounding marriage equality in New Jersey. Last year, Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage. Christie stated that although he personally believes that marriage is between one man and one woman, the decision should be left to the voters of New Jersey. According to a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey released earlier this month, about 60 percent of New Jersey voters support marriage equality. Lawmakers have until January to override Christie’s veto. To achieve the override, supporters need three more senators and 12 more Assembly members, all Republicans, on board. Advocates at Wednesday’s press conference said lawmakers will be a primary target of the campaign. Efforts to override the state’s civil-union law are also underway. On July 3, Lambda Legal filed a summary-judgment motion requesting that a judge rule that the state’s civil-union law is unconstitutional, in light of the Supreme Court ruling. Oral arguments will be held on that case Aug. 15. NJ United for Marriage will host an open house at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at 40 S. Fullerton Ave. in Montclair, and an advocacy phone bank for marriage equality at 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at the same address. For more information on the campaign, visit www.njformarriage.org.
