New York Times Editorial: New Jersey’s Marriage Moment

New York Times Editorial: New Jersey’s Marriage Moment
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: November 25, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/opinion/26thur3.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1259231319-zqYlisqyCuodkbtC+BcPHA


There can come a moment in a politician’s career when doing the right thing requires summoning the courage to buck strong voter sentiment. The drama over same-sex marriage in a lame-duck session of the New Jersey State Legislature is not that kind of moment.

Doing the right thing — promptly enacting legislation discarding inadequate civil unions in favor of full marriage equality for same-sex couples — requires no gargantuan amount of courage or risk-taking on the part of rank-and-file New Jersey legislators or their leaders.

In fact, the recent elections did turn on same-sex marriage and a recent Rutgers-Eagleton poll showed that a majority of voters would accept legalization. The chance that approving marriage equality would provoke a mass voter revolt seems remote. True, the measure’s opponents have been taking loud aim at lawmakers from both parties who have openly voiced support, especially those whose districts include conservative communities. But elected officials should be able to take a little heat.

Just weeks ago, as David Kocieniewski of The Times reported, Democrats were speaking confidently about passing a marriage equality bill after the election. Gov. Jon Corzine, a fellow Democrat, pledged to sign it even if he was not re-elected. After Mr. Corzine’s defeat, some Democrats appear to be wavering.

Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, who will become the Senate president in January, has expressed fears that voters concerned about the economy might resent elected officials who appear distracted by social issues. The lame-duck session is not the right time to enact same-sex marriage, he suggested, only to backtrack a little while later. Note that the actual civil rights issue gets lost in the spin.

More is expected from the future leader of the State Senate’s majority caucus. By endorsing the same-sex marriage bill, Mr. Sweeney can show that he is ready for his influential new role. The outgoing Senate president, Richard Cody, who, in fact, has a reputation for doing the right thing, could polish that legacy by arranging for a vote — and getting the votes to pass the measure.

Inaction is not an acceptable option. Delaying past Mr. Corzine’s departure means delaying justice for gay and lesbian couples and their families for four or even eight years. Christopher Christie, the Republican who was elected to succeed Mr. Corzine, has said he would veto any legalization bill (although he mostly forgot to mention the issue while campaigning in a decidedly moderate state).

If the Democratic majorities in New Jersey’s Legislature are unwilling to stand up for a fundamental civil right that a majority of voters would accept, when exactly would they stand up?