"LOVE COUNTS" - NJ Legislature Passes "CIVIL UNIONS" Legislation For Gay Couples-Gov WILL Sign.

[kpete]

New Jersey legislature passes "civil unions" legislation for gay couples. Governor says will sign.
By GEOFF MULVIHILL

TRENTON, N.J. Dec 14, 2006 (AP)— Under pressure from New Jersey's highest court to offer marriage or its equivalent to gay couples, the Legislature voted Thursday to make New Jersey the third state to allow civil unions.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine said he would sign the measure, which would extend to same-sex couples all the rights and privileges available under state law to married people. The bill passed the Assembly 56-19 and the Senate 23-12.

"Love counts," Democratic Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, a chief sponsor of the bill, said as the debate opened. "The gender of whom one loves should not matter to the state."

more at:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2726858
via:
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-jersey-legislature-passes-civil.html

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. Not that it is a big surprise...but I'm still proud of my state today!

[matcom]

2. proud of your state TOO!

next step: FULL "MARRIAGE" recognition

i'm keeping fingers crossed for NJ (and the REST of the country)!

:toast:

[brentspeak]

3. As a lifelong NJ resident, I really doubt that gay marriage will ever be legalized here

[Critters2]

4. You have a legislature that can't pronounce "marriage"

I guess that's better than nothing, but not by much.

[Kahuna]

6. I keep telling DU..NJ RAWKS!!!!

:hippie:

[EC]

5. State by state.... n/t

[Greybnk48]

7. Good for NJ.

My state (WI) just passed a constitutional amendment banning it :( How shameful.

[E.R. Strooley]

8. Slowly but surely. n/t