Same-sex couples in New Jersey will have to make due with civil unions for now.
The state Senate defeated a measure Thursday that would allow gay marriage in the Garden State.
In a 20-14 vote, the senators chose to defeat the bill. Five lawmakers abstained from the vote. Opponents of the measure erupted into applause following the vote. Supporters were obviously crushed.
"I think a lot of hearts are broken," said Meredith Greenberg as she stood outside the Statehouse.
Greenberg's partner Leora Perlman says it would be nice to call Meredith her wife and not worry about backlash. "It'd be really nice to just be able to say 'My wife' and not think that somebody's thinking like 'You can't use that word,'" Perlman said.
The road to get the bill to the Senate floor for a vote has been long and uneasy. Last month, the vote was postponed after seven hours of debate because its outlook seemed grim.
Many believe another push to allow gay marriage will not be viable for four years when the political landscape would change. Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine had promised to sign the bill into law before his exit, but Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie said he would veto the measure.
"While I appreciate the Senate's willingness to publicly debate the marriage equality bill, I am deeply disappointed by the final tally on this common-sense measure that would have assured equal rights for all New Jerseyan's," Corzine said after the vote.
Gays can still enter into civil unions -- that law was passed back in 2006 -- but the state's main gay rights group Garden State Equality says unions amount to second-class status like with health insurance.
Politics
Some insurance companies offer domestic partnership coverage for same-sex couples who are in unions, but not at the traditional discounted cost extended to married couples. Major N.J. insurer Oxford says it would extend discounted benefits to homosexual couples if they are married by state law.
"Most assuredly, this is an issue of civil rights and civil liberties, the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Denying any group of people a fundamental human right because of who they are, or whom they love is wrong, plain and simple," Corzine said.
Here's how the state Senators from our area voted:
YES
Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)
NO
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
ABSTAINED
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)
NOT IN ATTENDANCE
Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington)
