THE NEW YORK TIMES
November 26, 2009
Editorial
New Jersey’s Marriage Moment
There can come a moment in a politician’s career when doing the right thing
requires summoning the courage to buck strong voter sentiment. The drama over
same-sex marriage in a lame-duck session of the New Jersey State Legislature is
not that kind of moment.
Doing the right thing — promptly enacting legislation discarding inadequate
civil unions in favor of full marriage equality for same-sex couples — requires
no gargantuan amount of courage or risk-taking on the part of rank-and-file New
Jersey legislators or their leaders.
In fact, the recent elections did turn on same-sex marriage and a recent
Rutgers-Eagleton poll showed that a majority of voters would accept
legalization. The chance that approving marriage equality would provoke a mass
voter revolt seems remote. True, the measure’s opponents have been taking loud
aim at lawmakers from both parties who have openly voiced support, especially
those whose districts include conservative communities. But elected officials
should be able to take a little heat.
Just weeks ago, as David Kocieniewski of The Times reported, Democrats were
speaking confidently about passing a marriage equality bill after the election.
Gov. Jon Corzine, a fellow Democrat, pledged to sign it even if he was not
re-elected. After Mr. Corzine’s defeat, some Democrats appear to be wavering.
Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, who will become the Senate president in
January, has expressed fears that voters concerned about the economy might
resent elected officials who appear distracted by social issues. The lame-duck
session is not the right time to enact same-sex marriage, he suggested, only to
backtrack a little while later. Note that the actual civil rights issue gets
lost in the spin.
More is expected from the future leader of the State Senate’s majority caucus.
By endorsing the same-sex marriage bill, Mr. Sweeney can show that he is ready
for his influential new role. The outgoing Senate president, Richard Cody, who,
in fact, has a reputation for doing the right thing, could polish that legacy
by arranging for a vote — and getting the votes to pass the measure.
Inaction is not an acceptable option. Delaying past Mr. Corzine’s departure
means delaying justice for gay and lesbian couples and their families for four
or even eight years. Christopher Christie, the Republican who was elected to
succeed Mr. Corzine, has said he would veto any legalization bill (although he
mostly forgot to mention the issue while campaigning in a decidedly moderate
state).
If the Democratic majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature are unwilling to stand
up for a fundamental civil right that a majority of voters would accept, when
exactly would they stand up?
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