Bill giving legal rights to same-sex couples advances (New Jersey)

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/statehouse/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?j0195_BC_NJ-XGR--DomesticPartn&&news&njxgr


TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A bill giving legal rights to domestic partners, including same-sex couples, was approved by the Assembly Monday.

The legislation was approved by a margin of 41-28 with nine members abstaining.

Under the legislation, domestic partners would get access to medical benefits, insurance and other legal rights. The bill does not authorize gay marriage, which is against the law in New Jersey.

"We are extending to more of our population the civil rights to which they are due," said Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen.

[Jerseycoa]

1. Go Jersey!!!

:bounce:

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

5. Congrats, NJ.

We're still gonna take you down in the playoffs next year, of course.

[David__77]

2. Deja vous.

I'm so glad that NJ is following my state, California, in advancing such legislation. We established our registry in 1999. I suspect that when Democrats control both houses and the governorship in all but the Rocky Mountain or southern states, we'll see the establishment of such registries. The good thing about them is that rights and responsibilities can be added to them incrementally. In CA, soon they will extend to be nearly equitable with marriage rights.

[LeftCoast]

3. Yay NJ!

I still prefer "marriage" but CU's are a good start! :)

[davidinalameda]

4. how many states are going to legalize CUs before the feds give us

what we deserve--full rights under the law!

this piece-meal crap won't work for long.

[Suziq]

6. Proud again . . . .

of my state. Just wait until the new Democratic legislature kicks in next year. Only good things coming for New Jersey.

:bounce: