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from the Star-Ledger
Garden State Equality members braved the cold to rally at the Statehouse Monday in support of the bill to legalize gay marriage.
TRENTON — Legislation that would legalize gay marriage in New Jersey will go up for a vote in the full Senate on Thursday, Senate President Richard Codey announced today.
“Given the intensely personal nature of this issue, I think the people of this state deserve the right to a formal debate on the Senate floor,” Codey (D-Essex) said in a statement.
Full Star-Ledger coverage of the Gay Marriage Debate in New Jersey
Sen. President Richard Codey has scheduled the vote for Thursday. Codey said Tuesday that the people of New Jersey “deserve the right to a formal debate on the Senate floor.”
Five states now recognize gay marriage. Gay rights advocates have been pushing for New Jersey to join them quickly.
Gov. Jon Corzine supports the measure. But Chris Christie, who will replace him in two weeks, says he would veto it.
A Senate vote was canceled last month because it appeared the measure was going to fail. If it passes the Senate, it would still need the approval of the state Assembly to be sent to the governor’s desk.