Following Wednesday's historic ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court, the same-sex unions measure headed to the legislature, with some NJ Democrats saying they will push for full marriage rights. On the other hand, “Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris, vowed to have the justices impeached. ‘Neither the framers of New Jersey's 1947 constitution, nor the voters who ratified it, ever remotely contemplated the possibility of same-sex marriage.'”
Meanwhile, former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, who has said in the past that his failure to push for gay marriage rights while in office was because of efforts to hide his own sexuality, praised the Court's decision and said that he would like to enter into a legally recognized union with his partner Mark O'Donnell.
“Marriage would offer the ability to bless our relationship in a committed way,” McGreevey told the NYT. To the Newark Star-Ledger, he said: “I would obviously look forward to having our relationship recognized. It's a blessing to live in New Jersey…[The ruling is] so profoundly emotional and meaningful. It speaks to the value of marriage and the value of committed relationships, gay or straight. It's groundbreaking and it shows a great generosity of spirit…
And to the AP, he added: “I applaud the court's courage. I regret not having had the fortitude to embrace this right during my tenure as governor.”
NJ Gay Marriage Issue Given to Lawmakers [washington post]
An ‘I Do' From McGreevey? He Would. [nyt]
