New Jersey Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill

New Jersey is one step closer to marriage equality. We give thanks for the 42-33 vote in the state Assembly today that follows the Senate's approval Monday. MLP hopes and prays that Gov. Chris Christie will change his mind about vetoing the bill and sign it into law. Love is a gift from God and this bill will strengthen all New Jersey families.

From the The Star-Ledger:

In a historic step forward, the state Assembly this afternoon approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, but also drew the measure closer to a promised "swift'' veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

It was the first time that the state Assembly had ever voted on the measure. The Senate approved companion legislation on Monday, a little more than two years after it had rejected same-sex marriage.

After more than two hours of debate on the floor, the measure (A1) passed 42-33 , with all of the Assembly Republicans in attendance voting against it.

The Senate passed its version 24-16 with the help of Republicans Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Diane Allen (R-Burlington) crossing the aisle to help secure a winder margin of approval for Democrats.

But looming over the day's victory for gay rights advocates is Christie's promise of a veto, which could come as early as today, upstaging what gay rights activists have said is a significant step forward in the 10-year battle. 

The full story is available at the The Star-Ledger.

On Monday, Washington became the seventh marriage equality state.