NJ assembly passes gay marriage bill

TRENTON -- The New Jersey Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages Thursday, setting the stage for an expected veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

The 42-33 vote sends the bill to Christie, who won't take immediate action. The Republican governor opposes gay marriage and had promised "very swift action" if the bill passed both houses of the legislature, but the Assembly isn't required to send the bill to his desk until the close of business today. The Senate approved the bill Monday, 24-16.

"This is a historic day in the state of New Jersey," Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said. She had never been more proud of the Democratic caucus, she said, for doing "what citizens sent us here to do: to deliberate, to use the legislative process to represent the interests of all New Jerseyans."

Steven Goldstein of the gay rights group Garden State Equality echoed her sentiments: "Today, the legislature has brought us to the promised land. We know the governor won't let us enter, but we finally behold the view of our dreams and we will never turn back."

Christie and most Republicans want gay marriage put to a popular vote. Democrats say gay marriage is a civil right protected by the Constitution and not subject to referendum.

Six states and Washington, D.C., recognize gay marriages. Washington state's new gay marriage law is scheduled to take effect in June. However, 30 states have adopted constitutional amendments aimed at preventing gay marriage, most by defining marriage as a union between man and woman.

In Maryland, a vote on gay marriage was expected Friday in the House of Delegates. Gov. Martin O'Malley supports the law, but it was unclear whether it will get the 71 votes needed to pass.

With MCT