Demolish The Divide - New Jersey to Protest Over Civil Unions

This week marks the three-year anniversary of one of the worst public policy failures of our time, New Jersey's civil union law. Many hospitals and employers still reject the law because it is not marriage. At the recent state Senate hearing and floor vote, even legislators who oppose marriage equality admitted the civil union law has failed.

Join Garden State Equality at marriage equality rallies, marches and free dinners this Wednesday night, February 17, 2010 through Monday night, February 22, 2010. See the entire schedule here.

Protest Scheduled as Anti-Gay NJ Firemen Seek Reinstatement

The town of Secaucus in Hudson County New Jersey may reinstate three firefighters who made anti-LGBT death threats against, and threw condoms at, a same-sex couple who lived next door to the firehouse. In a $4.8 million verdict that came out of taxpayers' pockets, a court ruled against the town and the firefighters, who were forced to step down. But now, the brand new mayor, himself a firefighter, may reinstate his friends back onto the force.

Garden State Equality is holding an urgent rally and speak-out at the Secaucus Mayor-Council meeting this Tuesday night.

January 26 at the Secaucus Municipal Government Center
1203 Paterson Plank Road.
Please arrive at 6:00 pm if you can.

Questions? Contact Garden State Equality's field manager at Troy Stevenson or cell (405) 802-8229.

Crossposted via Planetransgender.

Committee to Unseat Anti-Gay NJ Senator Sean Kean

The Committee to Unseat Sean Kean campaign has begun against the New Jersey Republican Senator who voted against marriage equality. The Senator represents heavily gay sections of the state including Asbury Park and the Ocean Grove section of Neptune.

LGBT constituents are outraged at the way the Senator presented his argument before the Senate and his ultimate vote against equal rights.

Below is audio of his anti-gay tirade before the floor:


Contact Senator Kean directly and let him know that his vote was unacceptable and will not go unnoticed in his reelection bid.

Senator Sean T. Kean
11th Legislative District Office
1955 Route 34
Bldg. 2A
Wall, NJ 07719
Phone: 732-974-0400
Fax: 732-974-2564
senskean@njleg.org

The campaign has not yet endorsed an opponent but is seeking contributions and volunteers to assist in unseating Kean.

Please visit the website and email them at info@unseatseankean.com

Where New Jersey Senators Stand on Civil Marriage

Yesterday the New Jersey Senate defeated The Freedom of Religion and Equality in Marriage Act by a vote of 20-14. The roll call list is now available courtsey of Good As You.

13 Democrats and 1 Republican voted for marriage equality,
6 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted against civil rights,
3 Democrats abstained from voting, and 2 Republicans were absent.

YES (14)

Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex),
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sen. Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Sen. Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Bergen)
Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Sen. Joseph F.Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)

NO (20)
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D- Essex)
Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-Passaic
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) .
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris)
Sen. Christopher Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth )
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen)
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Essex)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Sen. Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)

ABSTENTIONS (3)
Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen)
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)

DID NOT ATTEND SESSION (2)
Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington)
Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean)

Be sure to contact your senator to thank or criticize them for their vote or lack of one.

Take Action: New Jersey Senate to Vote on Marriage Equality Today!

The New Jersey Senate is scheduled to begin debate about marriage equality at 2 pm EST today. Insiders say the votes are likely not there, but nevertheless activists need to push their senators to be on the right side of history. Regardless of whether the bill passes or not it is important to know the position of the senators so that we can support/oust them in their next re-election bid.

Please contact your state representative and urge them to vote in favor of full marriage equality.

Urge NJ Senate Judiciary Committee to Approve Marriage

The 13 member New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee is voting today on whether to let the same-sex marriage bill go to a vote before the entire senate this Thursday.

Please contact the members of the committee below and urge them to vote in favor of marriage equality!

Sen. Paul Sarlo (Chair): (201) 804-8118
Sen. John Girgenti (Vice-Chair): (973) 427-1229
Sen. Bill Baroni: (609) 631-9988
Sen. Christopher Bateman: (908) 526-3600
Sen. Jennifer Beck: (732) 933-1591
Sen. Gerard Cardinale: (201) 567-2324
Sen. Nia Gill: (973) 509-0388
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos: (732) 671-3206
Sen. Raymond Lesnick: (908) 624-0880
Sen. Nicholas Scutari: (908) 587-0404
Sen. Bob Smith: (732) 752-0770
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 861-5091
Sen. Loretta Weinberg: (201) 928-0100

H/T to Good as You for the senate contact numbers.

Spare 3 Minutes for Marriage Equality in New Jersey?

Garden State Equality is urging Democrats to bring the long awaited marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote. It is critical that the bill be voted on passed now while Democrat Jon Corzine who promised to sign the bill finishes out his term. The incoming republican Governor Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to marriage rights.

If you can spend weekdays calling your legislator once a day anytime, anywhere from 9-5 pm to vote on marriage equality, please fill out this form!

Contact GSE for other ways to get involved at volunteer@GardenStateEquality.org or call (973) GSE-LGBT