This action puts added pressure on Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who has publicly vowed to veto any same-sex legislation, and instead has called on state lawmakers to put the issue before the voters on the November 2012 ballot.

Should the Governor make good with his promise to reject the bill, lawmakers from both parties acknowledge that the legislation will need to win the support of two-thirds of both houses -- the threshold for overriding a governor's veto.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll found New Jersey voters support same-sex marriage by a margin of 52 to 42 percent.

More than 38 states ban or refuse to recognize same sex marriage, but six states, along with the District of Columbia, allow it. Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa.

New Jersey has allowed same-sex civil unions since 2007.

Prohibiting gays and lesbians from marrying “would be the best birthday present ever if you would vote no on gay marriage,” Crank said in her testimony and explained, “I really feel bad for the kids who have two parents of the same gender, they have no idea what kind of wonderful experiences they miss out on.”

The Galluccio Family

“New Jersey has made me feel discriminated, like I’m some sort of outcast,” she told the committee. “But guess what New Jersey, I’m no outcast. I’m Madison Galluccio and I’m part of the Galluccio family. My parents will be married. And I’ll make sure that this happens ’til the day that I die.” She added:

So please, will you help me? Help me feel equal. We’re no different. I’m no different. And I shouldn’t have to be forced to feel I’m different. This is my family. And I want us to be able to have the same rights as you. So New Jersey, please give me my freedom. Thank you.

Watch, video courtesy the New Jersey Star-Ledger:

The New Jersey legislature is considering legislation extending marriage rights to gays and lesbians, which Gov. Chris Christie (R) has pledged to veto.

Following a hearing of more than six hours, the Judiciary Committee passed the bill along party lines, 5-2, sending it to the full Assembly for a vote on Feb. 16, reported the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

At the same time the committee was taking testimony, Christie repeated before an overflow crowd at a town hall meeting in Morris County that he would veto any same-sex marriage bill that landed on his desk.

He again offered up the alternative he proposed last week: a referendum on the issue in November, noting that 31 other states had already done so. What he failed to say, however, was that such a referendum has never been approved by voters.

More: New Jersey Star-Ledger

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said he would not allow a referendum on the issue.

"It’s time for everyone, from the governor to the chattering observers, to stop talking about a marriage equality referendum in terms of ‘if,’" Sweeney said in a written statement. "There will be no referendum on marriage equality in New Jersey, period."

The state Senate is expected to take up the legislation on Feb. 13.

After three hours of testimony, the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure on an 8-4 party-line vote.

Earlier this month, Democrats introduced the bill, S1, the first in the new legislative session and a symbol of their commitment to passing marriage equality legislation.

In today's hearing, same-sex marriage equality advocates focused on the state's current civil unions law, which has led to legal inadequacies particularly in areas pertaining to survivor benefits, hospital visitation, or child custody issues.

During his testimony, Daniel Weiss -- who is currently a lead plaintiff in a marriage equality lawsuit filed in New Jersey Superior Court last June -- told lawmakers that when he was summoned to a hospital in New York City after his spouse John Grant was hit by a car and sustained life-threatening injuries, Weiss said the brain surgeon asked him; “What is a civil union?"

Opponents' arguments included claims that same-sex marriage redefines the traditional centuries old meaning of marriage and numerous quotes from the Bible condemning homosexuality.

There were also statements that, even with broad religious exemptions written into the proposed law -- protecting religious organizations the rights to not to solemnize same-sex weddings or provide facilities for their celebration -- the bill would still threaten religious freedom.

Meanwhile, in a town-hall meeting in Bridgewater, N.J., Christie told the audience that an issue of such magnitude should be decided by the voters, a position held when he campaigned for office in 2009.

"Let's make sure that political maneuvering is not what judges this and let's make sure this is not someone just trying to have fun and create a campaign issue," Christie said. "The institution of marriage if too serious to be treated like a political football."

[...]

"I think this is not an issue that should rest solely in my hands, or the hands of the Senate President or the Speaker or the other 118 members of the Legislature," he said. "Let's let the people of New Jersey decide what is right for the state."

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, one of the measure's Democratic sponsors, said civil rights issues like the right to marry are guaranteed under the state's constitution and do not require a public vote.

"Civil rights is not to be placed on the ballot. It’s to be voted on by the people in this house," Sweeney said.

In Newark, Mayor Cory Booker agreed, and said he is firmly against leaving the question of gay marriage up to a referendum.

"I shudder to think what would have happened if the civil rights gains, heroically established by courageous lawmakers in the 1960s, were instead conveniently left up to popular votes in our 50 states," Booker said in a statement.

Sweeney stated that enough votes exist to pass the bill in the Senate, and a floor vote is tentatively scheduled for February 13.

Democratic leaders in both chambers of the legislature are working with GOP counterparts to muster the two-thirds majority required to override the Governor's promised veto. In the Senate, a sole Republican senator publicly supports the bill, and the veto threat from Christie holds the potential to make other members of the GOP caucus wary about crossing the governor.

A spokesman for Christie told LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday afternoon that as far as the Governor is concerned, he believes in traditional marriage.

Bruce Harris

Harris, 61, a graduate of Yale Law School, was elected mayor of the borough of Chatham, N.J., in November, and sworn into the office just weeks ago -- at the time, he was believed to be the first openly gay, black Republican mayor in the country.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Harris would be the third African-American to be seated on the court, and the first openly gay justice in New Jersey. His partner of 32 years, Marc Boisclair, attended the announcement.

Currently only six openly gay justices sit on state Supreme Courts nationwide, according to Victory Fund, a Washington D.C., group that supports political campaigns of gay candidates.

Steve Goldstein, chief executive of Garden State Equality, a gay rights organization, said he was stunned when Christie called to tell him about the imminent nomination of Harris.

"As I told the governor right then and there, you could have picked me up off the floor," Goldstein said. "Bruce is eminently qualified to be a Supreme Court justice."

Christie also nominated Phil Kwon, 44, to the state's high court -- Kwon is a Korean-American assistant attorney general.

"I am honored to nominate these two gentlemen," Christie said at a Statehouse news conference. "I trust the Senate will take into account their extraordinary backgrounds and experience and will give them swift hearings.”

In it's opinion piece, the editor's wrote:

It is heartening to see Democrats rally for a second charge on gay marriage after their failure to pass the measure in the days before Gov. Chris Christie took charge.

But let’s face it: This is not likely to succeed while Christie remains in office. He will veto it, as promised, and obedient Republicans in the Legislature will fall in line behind him, as always.

That’s the political lay of the land for the next two years, at least. If Christie wins re-election, this stalemate could drag on for six years. To most New Jersey citizens, that is simply not acceptable.

According to sources in Trenton, the governor is not saying what he’ll do in terms of the same-sex marriage bill, which the Democratic legislative leadership considers a major priority for this year's session.

“They have a right to set their agenda, I’ll set mine, we’ll see who gets there first,” Christie said to reporters at an event in Camden. “When forced to make a decision, if forced to make a decision on it, I’ll make a decision.”

Christie has said previously that he favors the state’s civil unions law that was adopted in 2003.

The Star-Ledger continued:

It is clear by now the civil union law has failed to deliver equal rights. And the problem is not just the documented cases of gay couples facing discrimination in hospitals, workplaces or the insurance market.

The term “civil union” suggests that gay couples are somehow not worthy of full marriage, that they cannot be allowed to enter this club, that their sexual orientations make them second-class citizens. Dress it up all you want, that view is offensive on its face. The message it sends to gay couples and their children is toxic.

But in the debate over the possibility of passage of the same-sex law, one prominent Democratic lawmaker said he will not change his vote.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), who opposed the bill, said he supports strengthening the civil union law, but stops short of wanting to call it marriage.

“I deeply respect the civil liberties and rights of all New Jerseyeans, but I also believe that marriage over the centuries has been unique between a man and a woman,” said Van Drew. “I am am willing to work diligently to make civil unions contractually and legally more effective, but I will not be voting for marriage equality," Van Drew said.

The Star-Ledger editorial finished with:

So what is to be done? Sponsors of the gay marriage bill hope they can win new converts in the next few months, enough to override Christie’s expected veto. Some even hope the governor will change his mind. That would be the ideal outcome.

[...]

But if all else fails, a constitutional amendment is worth a try as a last resort. Polls show New Jersey voters are ready to approve marriage equality today. And the tide is clearly moving in that direction, especially among young people. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has shown that it can be a popular cause, even in states with large Catholic populations such as New York and New Jersey.

This fight has been long and difficult, as winning civil rights for minority groups always is.

But the day will come when gay couples in New Jersey won’t have to look across the Hudson River and dream about equal treatment under the law.

They’ll have it right here at home — whether the governor likes it, or not.

WCBS-TV

Viki Knox

The board formally filed the charges against Knox in late December, a step that begins the lengthy and costly process to terminate her employment, school board president Ray Perkins said. He could not comment on the findings of the district's three-month investigation of Knox's conduct.

"Every student, no matter what race, creed color or sexual orientation ought to be able to come to school and feel comfortable in a learning environment that’s welcoming and nurturing," Perkins said.

In her October 2011 Facebook post, sparked by a school bulletin board observing LGBT History Month, Knox described gay people as "perverted spirits" whose sin "breeds like cancer."

"Why parade your unnatural immoral behaviors before the rest of us?" Knox wrote, "I DO NOT HAVE TO TOLERATE ANYTHING OTHERS WISH TO DO. I DO HAVE TO LOVE AND SPEAK AND DO WHAT’S RIGHT!"

The inflammatory thread was forwarded to attorney John Paragano, a former Union Township councilman and municipal judge who urged in a letter to Chief School Administrator Patrick Martin, that Knox be dismissed.

“Hateful public comments from a teacher cannot be tolerated,” wrote Paragano. “She has a right to say it. But she does not have a right to keep her job after saying it.”

Knox, 49, a teacher at Union High School, is also the faculty adviser to the high school’s student prayer group, The Seekers Fellowship, the local chapter of a nationwide organization.

According to state records, Knox has taught for at least 20 years, including 10 in the Union district, and earns $70,688 a year, reported the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

A spokeswoman with the Office of Administrative Law said full details of the charges are not yet available, but that the tenure charges were based on "unbecoming conduct."

LGBT advocacy group, Garden State Equality, has also called for Knox’ dismissal, and questioned her ability as a teacher to enforce the state’s anti-bullying law. The law was signed in January 2011 and is considered among the toughest in the country for its requirement that schools have anti-bullying policies.

“I don’t see how this teacher could possibly be effective in implementing the state’s new anti-bullying law, designed precisely to teach children that bullying, including cyber-bullying, is unacceptable,” said Steven Goldstein, Chairman of Garden State Equality.

The announcement indicates a likely confrontation with the state's Republican Governor Chris Christie, who has indicated that he will veto any such measure.

The bill, known as the “Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act,” will be introduced with the symbolic designation of S-1 to indicate its status as the first order of business. Senate president Steve Sweeney, Senator Raymond Lesniak, and Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, will serve as prime sponsors.

“This is about doing what’s right and ensuring full equal and civil rights for all New Jerseyans,” said Sweeney. “Two years ago, I made a mistake in abstaining on marriage equality — a mistake that means same-sex couples continue to be denied the very basic civil right to live their lives as they wish. But today isn’t about me correcting my mistake, it’s about correcting a mistake for thousands of loving couples across the state who want nothing more than to be treated equally as their neighbors.”

Leaders also plan to fast-track the measure in the Assembly, where the bill will be known as A-1. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver pledged to move the bill in a statement saying:

“This is the same wrong message we heard from segregation laws,” she said. “Separate treatment was wrong then. And separate treatment is wrong now. That’s why I am committed this session to posting marriage equality legislation and making its passage a priority as soon as possible.”

Should this measure pass both houses, the leadership acknowledged that it is unclear whether the legislature would be able to muster the two-thirds majority required to override the Governor's veto.

Senator Sweeney told reporters; “If the governor cannot raise himself by signing a law to ensure a basic civil right for all residents, we would hope that he would not lower himself by vetoing it,” said Sweeney.

Reed Gusciora, the first openly gay member of the New jersey's legislature, addressed the political implications for the Governor:

“In recent months, Governor Christie has been to four out of the six states that recognize same-sex marriages: Iowa, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts,” said Gusciora. “Moreover, when he visits Washington DC he is in a city that also recognizes such relationships. And in none of these places, has he seen any diminishment of the institution of marriage other than perhaps when he is in the presence of Newt Gingrich.”

New Jersey could become the seventh state in the United States to enact same-sex marriage equality, New York. Last week Washington's Governor Chris Gregoire,(D) signaled her intention to prioritize same-sex marriage equality in her state's legislation session this year, and Maryland's Governor Martin O’Malley has said he will push for a similar same-sex marriage bill as that state begins its session.

Bruce Harris

Harris, an attorney and 30-year resident of Chatham, said he did not enter politics to break barriers, but "I have felt it is my duty to serve the community," reported the Daily Record.

"I think that public service is interesting, and finding ways to meet the challenges facing a small community like Chatham Borough is personally rewarding," he said.

The Victory Fund, an organization that works to elect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, said Harris is the first mayor of his kind in the country.

"Harris’ election shows that Chatham is a changing community," said Leanna Brown, a former state senator and a resident of Chatham for 50 years.

“We’re not solidly one color,” Brown said. “And there is more acceptance of different lifestyles than there may have been in the past.”

Dharun Ravi

Dharun Ravi, 19, is accused of streaming images online of his roommate Tyler Clementi engaged in an intimate encounter with another man. On Sept. 22, 2010, just days after the video was broadcast, Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge.

Ravi has received a 15-count indictment, including a charge of the hate crime of bias intimidation, for his alleged actions that led to Tyler’s death, and for trying to cover up it up afterward.

But under a plea agreement proposed by prosecutors, Ravi would have had to plead guilty to the most serious of the 15 charges against him in exchange for the prosecution asking that he face a probationary sentence rather than jail time.

The sentence would have included 600 hours of community service and getting counseling on so-called "cyber-bulling" and understanding alternative lifestyles, said Jim O'Neill, a spokesman for the Middlesex County prosecutor.

The state would also have offered assistance with immigration issues, such as the possible threat of deportation, that may have followed Ravi offering a guilty plea, O'Neill said, adding that Ravi was an Indian citizen with U.S. permanent residency.

Reuters

Ravi turned the deal down in New Jersey's Middlesex County Superior Court on Friday, and will now go to trial in February.

If convicted of the most serious charges, which include bias intimidation and privacy invasion, Ravi could face up to 10 years in prison. He is not directly charged with causing Clementi's death.

Ravi had previously turned down a less lenient plea deal in October that would have seen him facing a prison sentence of three to five years.

In an interview appearing in the Dec. 19 edition of People magazine, Jane and Joseph Clementi describe their grief over Tyler’s suicide, and said they were “completely unprepared” to learn of his sexual orientation, which they said Tyler tearfully revealed to them only days before leaving for Rutgers University.

Family Photo

Tyler Clementi

Tyler's family on Wednesday also announced they have established the Tyler Clementi Foundation to work to “prevent teen suicide, implement anti-bullying programs, and promote lives of peace.”

“The nationwide outpouring of compassion following Tyler’s death has been truly humbling and comforting for our family” said his father, Joseph Clementi, who is president of the Foundation.

“During that time we have become increasingly aware of the difficulties young people face due to their sexual orientation, especially in this digital age. Part of our mission is to raise awareness of cyber-bullying by promoting responsibility in our children’s personal lives and on-line presence. We want them to understand the importance of their words and actions.”

Joseph Clementi said that the Foundation will also support research into the cause and prevention of teenage suicide.

“Our family was devastated by Tyler’s death and we know that thousands of other families have experienced similar situations,” he said. “We want to do our part to help save lives and reduce the anguish of those who are tormented because of the way they look, their sexual orientation, or just for being different.”

Tyler jumped to his death from the George Washington bridge on Sept. 22, 2010, just days after a sexual encounter he had with another man was allegedly streamed online by his roommate.

Police recovered Tyler’s body a week later in the Hudson River just north of the bridge.

Earlier this year, Tyler's roomate, Dharun Ravi, received a 15-count indictment, including a charge of the hate crime of bias intimidation, for his alleged actions that led to Tyler’s death, and for trying to cover up it up afterward.

Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples have sued Attorney General Paula Dow and other state officials, asserting that the civil-union designation created by the 2006 law violates their equal protection and due process rights and relegates them to treatment as second-class citizens.

If the law creating civil unions does not give same-sex couples the same protections as married heterosexual couples, it has to be examined as to whether it is constitutional, Mercer County Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg said during a hearing in Trenton this afternoon.

But in dismissing three counts of the complaint, Feinberg also said there is no fundamental right to same-sex marriage under the state Constitution. One count of the suit — a claim that the civil union law does not give them equal protection — remains.

She noted same-sex couples complain civil unions, created in New Jersey in 2006, still don’t give them the same benefits as marriage in situations such as health benefits sharing and health care decisions.

"I don’t think that the court can remain silent and take no action if…the result is that those benefits are not equal in the protections," Feinberg said.

New Jersey Star-Ledger

In 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2006 said same-sex couple were entitle to the same benefits and rights as married heterosexual couples, but left it up to the state legislature to decide whether that should come through marriage or something else.

Lawmakers then enacted a law allowing gay couples to form civil unions.

But plaintiffs say the state’s civil unions fall short of creating equality for same-sex couples as ordered by the state Supreme Court.

In many instances, they said in court documents, they cannot make emergency decisions for their partners in hospitals and their employers refuse to extend health benefits to their partners.

Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality, called Feinberg’s ruling "a sweet moment ... It is time for the state of New Jersey to end the evil experiment of civil unions that is failing same-sex couples."

In January 2010, the state Senate defeated an effort to legalize same-sex marriage.

Chris Christie

In her Facebook post, Vicki Knox -- a special-education teacher with more than 20 years of experience -- described homosexuality as “perverted” and a “sin” that “breeds like cancer.”

Appearing on WABC Radio's Joe Crummey Show, Christie (R), said, "I think that kind of example is not a positive one at all to be setting for folks who have such an important and influential position in our society. I'm really concerned about those kinds of statements being made."

"I would like to see an examination of how that teacher conducts herself in the classroom because I think that's extraordinarily important too," Christie added.

Christie said he found the comments Knox made disturbing and then he renewed his call to overhaul teacher evaluations along with the state 's current tenure system.

Christie is advocating that a review process be implemented which would include in-classroom evaluations and standardized testing establishing a standard of re-certification for New Jersey's teachers every three years instead of the current life-time tenure system that is in place.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger has reported that the uproar over Knox began two weeks ago when she posted comments on her public Facebook page critical of a LGBT History Month display at Union High School.

The district launched an investigation last week to determine whether Knox’s conduct violated any school policies. Knox has retained an attorney Friday through her union, the New Jersey Education Association.

In an earlier post, Knox had called on students in her Seekers Fellowship Bible study group to pray.

“Well, the enemy is making it clear and plain as day what Seekers Fellowship needs to pray about/against,” Knox wrote beneath a photo of the display.

In her Facebook post, Knox, 49, described described homosexuality as “perverted” and a “sin” that “breeds like cancer.”

In its editorial, the Star-Ledger said that "no student should be the target of prejudice by any school employees, especially teachers," and that Knox "has to go."

While we all should be allowed an inner circle with whom we can speak freely, Knox gave up those protections when she posted her comments on the most public forum there is — the internet. She created a fearful, hostile environment for students. That’s unacceptable.

Knox has the right to a hateful view, but once her beliefs are made public, she doesn’t have the right to a taxpayer-funded, $70,688-a-year job in which she is expected to treat all students equally and with respect. She should absorb the harshest action possible, suspension or firing.

[...]

A self-described "Jesus freak," Knox wrote that she is compelled to "love" others and do what’s right, but then spouted hate speech, using God as her public defender.

[...]

School officials say they’re weighing their options, but we don’t see how Knox ever could be an effective, trusted teacher again.

LGBT advocacy group, Garden State Equality, has also called for Knox’ dismissal, and questioned her ability as a teacher to enforce the state’s new anti-bullying law. The law was signed in January and is considered among the toughest in the country for its requirement that schools have anti-bullying policies.

“I don’t see how this teacher could possibly be effective in implementing the state’s new anti-bullying law, designed precisely to teach children that bullying, including cyber-bullying, is unacceptable," said Steven Goldstein, Chairman of Garden State Equality.

Union Chief School Administrator Patrick Martin said the district is still investigating the incident.

Viki Knox, a teacher at Union High School, allegedly posted a photo on her personal Facebook page last week of an LGBT History Month display at the school. The image included photos of Virginia Woolf, Harvey Milk and Neil Patrick Harris, with the caption "I'm pitching a fit!"

In subsequent posts, Knox, who teaches special education classes and is adviser to a student prayer group, defended her views in lengthy exchanges with other Facebook users, referring at times to God and her Christian beliefs, and allegedly referred to homosexuality as, "a perverted spirit that has existed from the beginning of creation," and a "sin" that "breeds like cancer," reported the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

Following is another excerpt from Knox's rant – posted publicly on Facebook, where it was visible to many others in the school community, not just her friends:

Why parade your unnatural immoral behaviors before the rest of us? AND YOU ARE WRONG! I/WE DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT ANYTHING, ANYONE. ANY BEHAVIOR OR ANY CHOICES! I DO NOT HAVE TO TOLERATE ANYTHING OTHERS WISH TO DO.

John Paragano, a local attorney and former township councilma, who said he had initially been contacted by a parent, wrote to the school district and is calling for the teacher’s dismissal.

"Hateful public comments from a teacher cannot be tolerated," wrote Paragano, also a former Union Township Municipal Court judge. "She has a right to say it. But she does not have a right to keep her job after saying it."

Union Chief School Administrator Patrick Martin said the district is investigating the incident.

Knox, 49, of Union Township, is also the faculty adviser to the high school’s student prayer group, The Seekers Fellowship, the local chapter of a nationwide organization.

Knox did not respond to requests for comment. But two other people who wrote comments on the thread said Paragano’s copy was authentic.

Township resident Judy Amorosa challenged Knox directly on Facebook, writing "What kind of a Christian are you? God made each and every one of us — gay, straight, black, white, Christian, Jew, blond, brunette — and we should all love each other."

"Educators have a responsibility to nurture their students as they develop into young adults -- and that includes making sure they feel supported and know that there is nothing wrong with being LGBT," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, in a statement. "Her alleged public rant is irresponsible and sends a dangerous message to her students."

LGBT advocacy group, Garden State Equality, also called for Knox' dismissal, and questioned her ability as a teacher to enforce the state's new anti-bullying law. The law was signed in January and is considered among the toughest in the country for its requirement that schools have anti-bullying policies.

"Teachers are supposed to be role models for our children, not hatemongers," said Steven Goldstein, Chairman of Garden State Equality. "I don’t see how this teacher could possibly be effective in implementing the state’s new anti-bullying law, designed precisely to teach children that bullying, including cyber-bullying, is unacceptable."

“If these Facebook posts are from Ms. Knox, she should not be teaching our children in public schools," Goldstein said.

As of Thursday, Knox' Facebook page have been taken down.