“Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act”Chronology of events from NJ Supreme Court decision in 2006 to present

Lewis v. Harris

• N.J. Supreme Court decides Lewis v. Harris, 188 N.J. 415 (2006), which holds: “Denying same-sex couples the same benefits as heterosexual couples violates the equal protection guarantee of Article 1 of the state constitution.”

The Civil-Union Law

• In Lewis, N.J. Supreme Court issued a mandate to the N.J. Legislature to correct this disparity. Legislature responds by passing the civil-union law.

Civil Union Review Commission & Senate Judiciary Committe

• Same-sex marriage advocates are not satisfied with the civil-union law. Testimony from same-sex marriage advocates taken by the Commission and Committee

“Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act"

• Emerging from the information secured during years of testimony is a Bill that would dissolve civil unions. “Civil Union partners would be able to apply for a marriage license…” [via blog post, Pamela Brownstein, N.J. Law Journal]

N.J. Senate Judiciary Committee

• 8-4 vote along party lines on January 24, 2012 authorize sending the Bill (S-1) to the full senate

Governor Christie

• On January 24, 2012, Gov. Christie announces he will veto the Bill. Proposes the issue be placed on the ballet in November 2012

Bruce Harris, Esquire

• Governor Christie nominates Bruce Harris, Esquire to the N.J. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Mr. Harris will be the first openly gay justice.

N.J. Senate

• The N.J. Senate is expected to vote on the Bill on February 13, 2012 (Earlier vote taken during lame duck session resulted in Bill’s defeat 20-4).

N.J. Assembly

• N.J. Assembly panel passes the Bill (5-2 along party lines), which is now headed to the full Assembly for a vote on or about February 16, 2012

What’s next?

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Pamela Brownstein

• The information for this slide show came from a super article written by Pamela Brownstein from the N.J. Law Journal. Thank you Pam.