Over 300 people of all ages and races came together in an emotional and spirited show of support for same-sex marriage at Grace Church Van Vorst in Jersey City last week.
The statewide town meeting was intended to educate people about a lawsuit filed June 27, 2002 in New Jersey pushing for same-sex marriage. The suit argues that denying the right of marriage to same-sex couples violates their constitutional right to privacy. Currently, only persons of the opposite sex can get married in New Jersey.
The event was the fourth in a series of 10 meetings across the state that Lambda Legal, the law firm that filed the suit, has organized in conjunction with 63 sponsoring organizations. They have already been to Morristown, Newark, and Trenton. The next meeting is Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Ethical Culture Society in Teaneck.
Three of the seven couples who filed the lawsuit spoke Wednesday about the need for hospital visitation rights, health care benefits, and the recognition that comes with legal marriage.
“Our relationship doesn’t matter to whoever answers the phone [at the hospital] if we’re not married,” said Sarah Lael, who had difficulty gaining emergency room access, which is restricted to family members only, when her partner fell ill.
Another couple in the lawsuit sought the same respect that any heterosexual couple gains through marriage.
Chris Lodewyks, who has been with partner Craig Hutchison for over 31 years, said, “I want to have our relationship respected as any married couple who is respected for what they have created in the world.”
Each couple received a standing ovation after thanking the audience, which was the largest ever for a gay and lesbian-related event in Hudson County.
All seven of the couples in the lawsuit have been together for over 10 years, and three have legally adopted children.
A short movie made by Lambda Legal about Bill Randolph, who lost his partner of 26 years on 9/11, was shown. Jennifer Middleton, a lawyer for Lambda Legal, said after 9/11, many same-sex couples had problems getting benefits from their partners’ employees.
Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach, Inc. (JCLGO), and Jersey City Connections (JCC) hosted the event. Luis Santiago of JCC said they chose Jersey City because it is “the hub of the county.”
Lawyer Michael Adams of Lambda Legal was confident the lawsuit would be successful. “New Jersey courts have a long tradition of being fair-minded to civil rights,” he said. He added that the state constitution guarantees every person equal protection. He said that the right of privacy, which everybody is entitled to, includes the right to marriage.
Barbara George Johnson of the American Civil Liberties Union, a watchdog organization, spoke about the parallel need for domestic partnership laws. “The rights requested in this legislation are a minute percentage of the rights conferred on married couples,” she said, pointing out that there are over 600 laws protecting married couples.
The meeting was attended by three Hudson County officials, including Assemblywoman Elba Perez-Cinciarelli from District 31, Senator Bernard Kenny from District 33, and Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto from District 32. Nancy Kist represented Assemblyman Joseph Doria from District 31.
After listening to many speakers, Sen. Bernard Kenny said the lawsuit “benefits the state because it promotes stability, and it promotes the freedom to act accountably in your society. It’s a statement of solidarity with respect to how people live their lives.”
Organizer Luis Santiago said, “we’re hoping to gain greater sensitivity and awareness on the part of legislators that the people have spoken and they support this issue.”
If the lawsuit is successful, New Jersey will be the first state to allow same-sex marriage. Vermont allows same-sex couples to enter into a “civil union,” but it’s not recognized in a marriage.
Highland Park resident Richard Cash said, “It’s exciting to be living in a state that could be making history.”
Lambda Legal was on the verge of gaining same-sex marriage rights in Hawaii when they were interrupted by a voter referendum amending the state constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, lawyer Michael Adams said. He added, “We’re very confident that’s not going to happen here.”