This morning, both houses of the Vermont state legislature overrode the Vermont Governor's veto of the marriage equality bill - and the process in Vermont is now over.  Marriage equality will take affect in Vermont on September 1st.   After nine years of a civil union law, Vermont legislators have seen that civil union laws do not provide equality and will NEVER provide equality as real marriage equality would.

Meanwhile, the National Organization for Marriage has sent an email to its members across the country asking them to email New Jersey legislators.  All of us in New Jersey must now redouble our efforts to fight back and win marriage equality here in our own home state.  

Here you write to New Jersey state legislators telling them to look at Vermont's lead - and that you've had enough.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please don't merely tally this email among the pro- and con- emails you may be receiving about marriage equality for same-sex couples in New Jersey. I ask, respectfully, that you meet with us supporters in person rather than merely respond by email or letter.

Vermont, the state that invented civil unions in 2000, just enacted marriage equality to replace civil unions. This morning, both houses of the Vermont legislature overrode the Republican Governor's veto.

After nine years of a civil union law, Vermont legislators have seen that civil union laws do not provide equality and never will.

Vermont legislators have had nine long years of living proof that the arguments about giving a civil union law "time to work" are bogus.

In New Jersey, too many civil-union partners are denied equal health benefits from employers.

Too many civil-union partners are denied the right to make medical decisions for their sick partners.

And too many civil-union partners are denied the right to visit one another in the hospital at all.

Most tragically, children of civil union partners are coming home from school confused and bullied because they're told their parents have a different label.

When is enough suffering enough? The economy is no excuse for delaying marriage equality. A recent study by UCLA shows that New Jersey will make $248 million in revenue from tourism and revenue were it to enact a marriage equality law. And it wouldn't cost taxpayers a dime.

Again, I would like a meeting with you to discuss marriage equality. You may reach me directly or call Garden State Equality at (973) GSE-LGBT to arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 07, 2009