Councilman Urges NJ to Push for Gay Marriage

On the heels of a district court’s ruling that California’s Proposition 8 violates the constitution, Red Bank called for Gov. Chris Christie and the rest of the state legislature to revisit, and this time approve, gay marriage in New Jersey.

In a statement, Zipprich, who is gay, called for fair and equal treatment of all of the state’s residents when it comes to marriage. He took aim at New Jersey’s civil union law, which opponents of gay marriage point to as a fair compromise, often as they reaffirm their individual stances that marriage and gays don’t mix. 

“Here in New Jersey we have heard our own Supreme Court rule that marriage equality is the right of state residents. I am proud that the leadership in Trenton now is urging the governor and other legislative members to accept responsibility and achieve equality for all New Jerseyans,” he said in a statement. “I, too, strongly urge them to eliminate the second class citizen status created under the NJ Civil Union Law.”

Christie vetoed a proposed gay marriage law that passed his desk and despite growing support among the state legislature has maintained that he does not support gay marriage. Though he’s taken a hard-lined stance on several issues since he became New Jersey’s governor, Christie has said he’d be open to deferring this one to the public, effectively calling for gay marriage, which many believe is an issue of civil rights, to be included on public ballots as a referendum.

Earlier this year, Christie received flak from national media outlets after saying civil rights activists fighting for racial justice in the 1950’s and 60’s would likely have been happier to see the issue presented in a referendum rather than fought for in the streets. He later apologized for his remarks.

Joining the push for gay marriage are State Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-3, who did not vote on the law in 2010 and local legislator Sen. Jennifer Beck, D-11, who voted against the bill in 2010. Though Beck’s political opponents claim her change of that added Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, two towns with significant gay populations, to her district, Beck has reaffirmed her position of support for gay marriage since her reelection in November. if and when the gay marriage bill is reintroduced.

Zipprich, who was married to his partner in a ceremony last year, thanked the efforts of those who helped overturn California’s Proposition 8 in his statement and emphasized that those looking to make a difference can, even in the face of unjust legislation. The ruling in California will likely apply additional pressure to the gay marriage push in New Jersey.

“The American Foundation for Equal Rights and its legal team worked diligently to correct this injustice and this week’s victory renews in us the belief that the American system of justice can address such mistakes,” he said.