Testimony underway at N.J. legislative hearing on gay marriage

Supporters and opponents of a gay marriage bill in New Jersey are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Supporters and opponents of a gay marriage bill in New Jersey are testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Listen:
[audio: 091207pggay.mp3]

The Senate sponsor of the bill Democrat Loretta Weinberg says the state’s current civil union law has not worked and same sex couples face patterns of discrimination. A view shared by Gina Pastino of Montclair who says she had trouble being able to visit her partner in the hospital.

NAACP President Julian Bond says no people of good will should oppose marriage equality. The ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee Senator Gerald Cardinale says if gay marriage is approved by lawmakers and signed by Governor Corzine it will confirm the public’s worst views of government. He says the public should have the right to vote on it.