NJ Senate OKs gay marriage bill

TRENTON, N.J. -- In a move supporters called a civil rights milestone, New Jersey's state Senate passed a bill Monday to recognize same-sex marriages, the first time state lawmakers officially endorsed the idea -- despite the promise of a veto by Gov. Chris Christie.

The vote was 24-16 in favor of the bill, a major swing from January 2010, when the Senate rejected it 20-14.

"It means the world isn't changing, it means the world has already changed," Steven Goldstein, chairman of the gay rights group Garden State Equality said after the vote. "So wake up and smell the equality."

Before the vote, Marsha Shapiro squeezed the hand of her longtime partner Louise Walpin, and reflected on how a body that rejected gay marriage two years ago was about to change its stance. "The pride will overpower the sorrow," she said.

Opponents said it's "an exercise in futility" even if the Assembly passes it Thursday, as expected, given Christie's veto vow. Len Deo, president of New Jersey Family Policy Council, said it was "something we have to go through" and said the bill would be made moot with a veto.

While New Jersey differs from most states in that it has no law or state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, neither its court nor lawmakers have allowed gay nuptials.

With Washington state joining the list Monday, seven states and Washington, D.C., allow gay marriage. New York made it official last July 24 when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed its measure into law. -- AP