A Chronology of Events from 2006 to present. There has been a lot of tumult beginning with the N.J. Supreme Court decision in Lewis v. Harris, and leading to the present fight expected on the floors of the N.J. Assembly and Senate. Do you think this Bill will pass both houses of the N.J. Legislature? Will Gov. Christie make good on his threat to veto the Bill? Will it be added to the ballet in November 2012?

1. “Marriage Equality and
Religious Exemption Act”
Chronology of events from NJ Supreme Court
decision in 2006 to present

2. • N.J. Supreme Court decides Lewis v. Harris, 188 N.J. 415
(2006), which holds: “Denying same-sex couples the
same benefits as heterosexual couples violates the equal
protection guarantee of Article 1 of the state
constitution.”
Lewis v. Harris

3. • In Lewis, N.J. Supreme Court issued a mandate to the
N.J. Legislature to correct this disparity. Legislature
responds by passing the civil-union law.
The Civil-Union Law

4. • Same-sex marriage advocates are not satisfied with the
civil-union law. Testimony from same-sex marriage
advocates taken by the Commission and Committee
Civil Union Review
Commission & Senate
Judiciary Committe

5. • Emerging from the information secured during years of
testimony is a Bill that would dissolve civil unions. “Civil
Union partners would be able to apply for a marriage
license…” [via blog post, Pamela Brownstein, N.J. Law
Journal]
“Marriage Equality and
Religious Exemption Act"

6. • 8-4 vote along party lines on January 24, 2012 authorize
sending the Bill (S-1) to the full senate
N.J. Senate Judiciary
Committee

7. • On January 24, 2012, Gov. Christie announces he will
veto the Bill. Proposes the issue be placed on the ballet in
November 2012
Governor Christie

8. • Governor Christie nominates Bruce Harris, Esquire to the
N.J. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Mr. Harris will be the
first openly gay justice.
Bruce Harris, Esquire

9. • The N.J. Senate is expected to vote on the Bill on
February 13, 2012 (Earlier vote taken during lame duck
session resulted in Bill’s defeat 20-4).
N.J. Senate

10. • N.J. Assembly panel passes the Bill (5-2 along party
lines), which is now headed to the full Assembly for a
vote on or about February 16, 2012
N.J. Assembly

11. ?
What’s next?

12. • The information for this slide show came from a super
article written by Pamela Brownstein from the N.J. Law
Journal. Thank you Pam.
Pamela Brownstein