STATE SENATE APPROVES GAY MARRIAGE

Our senator Ron Rice voted NO. Feel free to contact him with your objections, and the Assembly, which votes next.


Star-Ledger reports:

TRENTON — The state Senate passed a bill legalizing gay marriage this afternoon by a vote of 24-16.

Two Republicans, Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) voted yes on the bill.

“We have some among us who are separate and not equal,” Beck said.

The bills passage elicited a round of applause from those in the audience wearing blue in support of the bill, which Gov. Chris Christie has promised to veto. Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union), a co-sponsor, raised his arm in victory and said “Yes!”

Two Democrats, Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) and Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), voted no.

The 24 votes in favor of the bill leaves supporters three votes short of the 27 votes they would need to override Christie’s veto.