WE ARE SEEKING THIS PETITION TO INFORM OUR REPRESENTATIVES WE, THE PEOPLE OF NJ WISH TO GIVE SAME SEX COUPLES THE SAME RIGHTS AS OPPOSITE SEX COUPLES IN GETTING MARRIED.
To: The New Jersey State Legislature
We, the below, believe same-sex marriages should be given the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex marriages - not less than, not separate, but equal, in the great state of New Jersey
We, the below, respectfully argue that this is not a moral or religious issue, but one of justice and equality. In America, the least of us is guaranteed the same rights as the most powerful of us. This is the spirit of the law based on the equal protection under the law principles in our State and Federal Constitutions and embossed on the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC.
We, the below, respectfully ask you to consider:
- The 2000 U.S. Census reported 33,208 same-sex adults living together in New Jersey. The proposed legislation would relegate these New Jerseyites to second-class stature.
- the vast majority of gay and lesbian South Carolinians are responsible and loving, having the same values of family, God, and community as do heterosexual South Carolinians.
- the issues of the same-sex marriage debate are complicated and deep. Lack of education, inexperience, misinformation, stereotypes, prejudice, irrational fear, sensationalism, and spiritual violence have contributed to an unrealistic and undeserved negative depiction of the gay and lesbian community.
- Further, by a margin of 67 to 26 percent, New Jersey voters say the state government should stop fighting the marriage lawsuit by gay couples and devote the resources to other matters. a majority of New Jersey residents want to see our laws move into the 21st century with respect to marriage
- A new poll has recently been released that shows some shocking information regarding public opinion in New Jersey on the issue of same sex marriage. By a margin of 55 to 41, likely voters in New Jersey say gay couples should be able to marry according to the Zogby Poll
- the constitution of marriage (a contract between two persons) has continued to evolve over the decades. At one time, people of different religious backgrounds and people of different color were not allowed to marry. A new law could mark another major milestone in New Jerseys long history of progress in civil rights and social justice if we ensure the basic civil and human right for citizens whom are gay to legally marry in the state and for New Jersey to fully recognize this right to include all the benefits, domestic partnership is clearly distinct from marriage.
We, the below, are New Jerseyites and Americans of all colors, of all ethnicities, of all religions, of all classes, of all ages, and of all sexual orientations. Thank you for your consideration.
