New Jersey State Senate tried to Override Gov. Chris Christie's Trans Bill Veto

In New Jersey, the State Senate tried to override Chris Christie's veto of S. 1195, a bill that would have helped transgender people obtain IDs matching their gender identity. However, the group was one vote shy of success.

The Washington Blade reports:

The unofficial vote to override was 26-14, just one vote short of the vote necessary to succeed, but the bill was pulled down before the vote became final to avoid defeat. Two Republicans — State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Cinnaminson) and State Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerville) — joined all Senate Democrats to vote in favor of the override.

Five Republicans who voted for initial passage of the bill voted "no" on the override: Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank), Gerry Cardinale (R-Cresskill), Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield), Kevin O’Toole (R-Wayne) and Robert Singer (R-Lakewood). Beck voted "no" on the override even though she's a sponsor of the bill.

Because the bill was pulled down, the vote wasn't recorded in an official capacity. Although advocates had planned a vote in the Assembly, it was never taken up after the defeat in the Senate.

The legislation, S.1195, would have removed the requirement for a transgender person under gender reassignment surgery before they change the gender marker on their birth certificates.

State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge), who sponsors the bill in the Senate along with Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, said in a statement the loss is "a disappointment and a setback to the progress we have made for LGBTQ rights in New Jersey and in the nation."

“This bill would have removed the barriers that transgender New Jerseyans face when requesting changes to such an important and personal identification document as their birth certificate to reflect who they are," Vitale said. "It’s important to remember that this is their birth certificate, their identification, not the state’s."

Brian Brown is mad at Chris Christie over New Jersey's Marriage Equality

Buster Brown can't keep his mouth shut for nothing.

Since Chris Christie has decided to back away from NJ gay marriage, Brian is getting all puffy in the chest. He's hurt that Chris won't fight this and claims he's lost his chances in being President.

He said:

"There's no question that the courts of New Jersey are responsible for the imposition of same-sex marriage in that state, and we sharply criticize them for redefining our most important social institution with no regard to the wishes of voters or even elected officials. The refusal of the New Jersey Supreme Court to order a stay of the same-sex 'marriage' ruling was wrong, and the latest example of an activist judiciary running amok, substituting their views for those of the people of the state. Still, we are extremely disappointed in Governor Chris Christie for withdrawing the state's appeal of the underlying decision, effectively throwing in the towel on marriage. The mark of a leader is to walk a principled walk no matter the difficulty of the path. Chris Christie has failed the test, abandoning both voters and the core institution of society - marriage as the union of one man and one woman.It's a sad day for the voters of New Jersey. An activist judiciary has once again imposed its views and ignored the rights of voters. We will continue to fight for the right of New Jersey voters to determine the definition of marriage. Regrettably, Governor Christie's decision to surrender on marriage reveals him to be a man who lacks the courage of his supposed convictions. As far as we are concerned, it's a disqualifying failure. His surrender on marriage effectively surrenders any chance he might have had to secure the GOP nomination for president."

Brian, get a grip, trick. Chris knows he has to back off the anti-gay marriage stance if he wants to win the presidency. You better get on the bandwagon, bigot.

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WATCH Gay couples get Married in New Jersey

and BONUS, Cory Booker (my bf) reads some religious heckler

Gays can get Married in New Jersey, Brian Brown is Upset

NJ Supreme Court has denied the halt on gay marriage and now, New Jerseyans can get married as early as 12:01 am on Monday. However, Brian 'Buster' Brown is all upset and crying.

Here is his statement:

It is extremely disappointing that the New Jersey Supreme Court has allowed the ruling of an activist judge to stand pending its appeal through the court system. The definition of marriage is something that should be decided by the people of New Jersey themselves, not by any judge or court. New Jerseyans should have the right to vote on this issue just as voters in nearly three dozen other states have done. In addition, the decision to allow same-sex ‘marriage’ to proceed even while the law is being tested in court is unfair both to the voters of the state and to same-sex couples themselves. If the state Supreme Court were to uphold marriage as they should do, then the validity of the ‘marriages’ that will be performed starting next week will be called into question. Further, the decision opens the door to a possible federal court ruling similar to what occurred in California in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal which held that once a state grants same-sex ‘marriage’ rights it can never take them away. All in all, today’s ruling is another sad chapter in watching our courts usurp the rights of voters to determine issues like this for themselves.

Poor Brian.

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Judge Denies Chris Christie's Request to Halt Gay Marriage in New Jersey

Oooh, Gov. Chris Christie's face is cracked. A NJ judge has denied his request to delay gay marriage in his state. However, Chris Christie's administration will try to appeal the denial to a higher court, but they better act fast. Time is running out.

Plus, I think he needs to back off. The state don't mind gay marriage and the nation is moving forward, so seriously, Chris... Get over it.

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An Local debates Chris Christie over Gay Marriage

Chris Christie has been very public about his stance over gay marriage. Yesterday, a local resident questioned his stance and why he's so against it.

During one of his campaign stops at the Edison Diner, Bert Bueno grilled him about marriage equality.
Here's the exchange via The Star-Ledger

"How come you're in opposition?" Bueno, a straight woman, asked.

"Listen: Lots of different people have different views on this," Christie responded. "I think marriage should be between a man and a woman.

"My view is: If you want to change it, put it on the ballot," he continued. "Let everybody decide. It shouldn't be decided by courts, it shouldn't be decided by politicians in Trenton. It should be decided by everybody. If the majority of the people of New Jersey want same-sex marriage, I'll enforce the law."

"How could you as the leader of the state speak and have such a point of view that really is in opposition to many, many people?" Bueno asked.

"Whenever you have an opinion that's in opposition to many, many people ... " Christie started to reply.

"But this is different than gun control or taxes," Bueno interjected.

"No, I don't think it is different," the governor said.

"It's a human rights issue," Bueno insisted.

"Says you," Christie responded. "The fact is: We've been very supportive of a lot of other things, like banning gay conversion therapy. This is an issue where we have an honest difference of opinion. Okay, so you put it on the ballot — you vote your way, I vote my way. And whoever gets the most votes wins."

Before Christie moved to the next table, Bueno asked him if he would ever be open to sitting down for an open conversation with a group gay and lesbian people "to really see how this is affecting them."

"I have relatives who are gay, I have friends who are gay," Christie said. "I think I have an understanding. That's not the point. We have a difference of opinion.

He continued: "The fact is: I'm open to having conversations with anybody, but I don't think it's going to change my point of view."

I'm glad Bert did what she did.

Marriage Equality is in New Jersey

Wow!

What a Friday!

couples in New Jersey will soon be able to marry.

Judge Mary Jacobson of the Mercer County Superior Court ruled that gay couples can get married in New Jersey starting October 21.

The judge said:

"This unequal treatment requires that New Jersey extend civil marriage to same-sex couples to satisfy equal protection guarantees of the New Jersey Constitution as interpreted by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Lewis. Same-sex couples must be allowed to marry in order to obtain equal protection of the law under the New Jersey Constitution."

This is big stuff!

In New Jersey: High School Senior comes out to his entire Class - VIDEO

I wish I did this

Jacob Rudolph, welcome to the family

MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart calls out Gov. Chris Christie over Gay Marriage

Yesterday, I posted the heated discussion between Gov. Chris Christie and Jonathan Capehart on his veto of New Jersey's gay marriage bill.

Jonathan later appeared on Lawrence O'Donnell to deeply explain his stance and call out Christie on his foolishness

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Gov. Chris Christie gets Grilled on Morning Joe - VIDEO

Good job, Jonathan Capehart for holding Chris accountable.

NJ Assembly Democrats are coming for Gov. Chris Christie -VIDEO

If you don't know, Chris Christie vetoed the marriage equality bill in New Jersey. Now, the Dems are letting him have it, please watch

New Jersey Assembly Democratic Response to Gov. Christie's Veto of Marriage Equality Legislation (A-1) from NJ Assembly Democratic Office on Vimeo.

Interesting Quote: Brian Brown

"Democrats in the New Jersey Assembly today walked off a cliff when they decided to redefine marriage to accommodate the political demands of same-sex couples," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "They have ensured themselves of the united opposition of people of faith when they next face voters. We are grateful to have a principled Governor in Chris Christie who has pledged to veto this legislation."


The New Jersey state Assembly passed legislation to redefine marriage by the narrowest of margins, 41-33. It would take 54 votes to override Governor Christie's promised veto.


NOM has spent significant funds on New Jersey elections in prior years and pledged to oppose legislators who supported redefining marriage.


"Redefining marriage is not going to happen in New Jersey," Brown said. "NOM will join with the community of faith and all conservatives to ensure that every legislator who voted to kick God's definition of marriage to the curb pays the ultimate political price when they face voters. We will not forget this betrayal of marriage."

Whatever, Brian.

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New Jersey Assembly passed the Marriage Equality Bill, heads to Gov. Christie

Oh snap! The New Jersey Assembly just passed the marriage equality bill with a vote of 41-33. Now it goes to Gov. Chris Christie, who said he will veto the bill.

Don't F**k it up, Christie!

READ: Gov. Chris Gregoire's letter to Gov. Chris Christie

New Jersey's Gov. Chris Christie said Gay Marriages are ‘A Good Bunch Of Theater’ - WATCH

This bastard right here

Think Progress has more on this

New Jersey State Senate passes Gay Marriage Bill

New Jersey Senate voted 24-16 for the marriage equality bill. The bill moves on to the state Assembly where it's expected to pass as well.

I hope Gov. Chris Christie has thought about his stance. If he tries to veto the bill, he will be put in the boiling pot. Think hard about this, Chris!

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New Jersey's Gov. Chris Christie offers 'The Bargain of Your Life!’ for Gay Marriage - WATCH

New Jersey Assembly committee advances Gay Marriage Bill

After a long 6 + hours discussion, NJ Judiciary Committee passed the Marriage Equality bill with the vote of 5-2. Now it goes to the full Assembly for a vote next week.

But to get an idea of what went down, here are a couple of clips.

Against the bill


For the bill


Good luck, New Jersey!

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Mayor Cory Booker has words for Chris Christie over NJ Marriage Equality Referendum

Gov. Christie calls for referendum on issue of legalizing Marriage Equality

With New Jersey so close to marriage equality, somebody had to rain on the parade. And that someone is Mr. Christie.

Gov Chris Christie called today for a voter referendum on the fall ballot over the issue of legalizing gay marriage. 

If successful, the referendum would change the state Constitution. He urged Republicans in the Legislature to put the matter to voters. But if a bill made it to his desk, Christie said he would veto it.

Christie doesn't want officials to decided on marriage equality, he wants the people to decide. However, he will veto the bill if it comes to him. If the people want this, why would he deny the community? I don't get this, Chris Christie!

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