NJ Republicans call for strengthening civil unions law

Timothy Kincaid

December 18th, 2009

It may seem odd to point to a statement by Republican legislators stating that they will vote against marriage equality as evidence that we have won the argument in New Jersey. But it is what they added which convinces me of the inevitability of equality. (NJ.com)

In an effort to solidify opposition to gay marriage legislation currently pending in the state legislature, five Senate Republicans today said they will be supporting the civil union law and work instead to make sure it is enforced.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) along with Sens. Chris “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset), Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) and Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean) asked for Democratic senators to join them, saying it’s “unlikely that a bill redefining marriage can pass the Senate.”

“Moving testimony in Senate hearings suggests that New Jersey\’s civil union law is not always understood or followed,” Kean said in an email statement. “We need to educate the public about the law, and enhance it if necessary so that no civil union partner is turned away from the hospital bed of a loved one.”

I am not so cynical as to say that these legislators are motivated purely by political machination. In reality, some of them have decent records on gay issues and they probably all of them genuinely wish for gay couples to be able to achieve full civil equality.

But they are politicians. And, as such, they know a convincing argument and the shift of popular opinion when they see it. And they know that it is becoming increasingly evident that the current status of recognition for same-sex couples in New Jersey is inadequate in the eyes of the electorate.

These politicians do not want to enact marriage equality at this time. Perhaps they fear primary challenges or the rage of national anti-gay conservative activists (such as happened to Dede Scozzafava). Or perhaps they personally cannot bring themselves to view the relationships of gay people as truly being comparable to the relationships of straight people. But clearly they know that the only way to deny marriage equality is to offer a compromise position.

And this has been the strategy now for several years. Offer a substitute, a lesser status, an alternative. But looking at the alternatives offered over the years tells us that we’ve won the argument.

When Hawaii offered a handful of reciprocal benefits in 1997, it was generally seen by the public as adequate. California’s 1999 Domestic Partnerships were revolutionary. Vermont’s 1999 Civil Unions resulted in nationwide outrage.

Since that time, Civil Unions have become the fall-back position. “No, not marriage”, say reluctant legislators, “but I can support civil unions”.

Now New Jersey Republicans have upped the ante. Their fall-back position is Super Duper Civil Unions. But surely they can see, as I can, that eventually there is nothing left to fall back on.

Marriage equality is coming.

Ray

December 18th, 2009

Why am I reminded of the best examples of literary naturalism by your last two sentences, an so very pleased with them?

Steven Crane (The Open Boat) and Herman Melville (Moby Dick) would be proud. I am, too, because I really need such a voice to listen to today.

Imagine words evoking the same sense of the inevitable as being stranded on an island – where no one comes to your rescue. That’s how “there is nothing left to fall back on…Marriage equality is coming” must seem to these New Jersey Republicans. Inevitable. Overwhelming, like accidently falling from a bridge at midnight into a raging river and having no one hear your shouts for help.

I’m just happy to have lived for today to be a witness to their sense of hopelessness for these politicians. I certainly can sympathize because I’ve had the same feeling myself, but I’m going to withhold sympathy for now and relish the moment.

Thanks once again, Timothy.

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