The Human Rights Campaign celebrated the signing of a bill
on January 12th in New Jersey that establishes domestic partnerships for the state's same-sex couples. Gov. James E. McGreevey signed Assembly Bill
3743 into law after it passed the State Assembly in December and the
State Senate just last week. The bill grants medical benefits,
insurance and other legal rights to the state's same-sex couples.
"This is absolutely a great step toward equality for New Jersey's
same-sex couples and their families, who have the same need for legal
rights and protections that all other families do," said HRC President
Cheryl Jacques. "While there is great work yet to be done to ensure
that all couples in the state have full and equal rights under the law,
we celebrate the signing of this bill as a landmark sign of progress."
Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg was the lead sponsor of the domestic
partnership bill. "This new law extends equal rights to another segment
of our New Jersey community. We are talking about our children,
families, colleagues, neighbors and co-workers and we are happy to
welcome them as equal members of society," said Weinberg.
HRC supported the legislation in a variety of ways, including
co-sponsoring a series of town hall meetings across the state to build
awareness on the issue. HRC members in New Jersey sent hundreds of faxes
and emails to legislators in support of the bill, and Carrie Evans,
HRC's State Legislative Lawyer drafted portions of the bill.
HRC was also proud to work with the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition
to build grassroots and legislative support for this bill.
"The state of New Jersey has again taken a leadership role in pursuit of
GLBTI rights. I am proud of the legislature and governor for making this
legislation a reality. But mostly I am proud of New Jersey's GLBTI
community for building a large and effective coalition that included
local, state and national organizations like HRC," said Laura Pople,
President of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition,
HRC is a member of the Domestic Partnership Task Force which is composed
of local and national groups committed to achieving legal and economic
protections for same-sex couples. HRC also sponsored a fiscal impact
study that was used to educate legislators.
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