Shame on New Jersey's Senate

Despite beautifully eloquent pleas by civil rights advocates, a flood of calls to legislatures and strong support coming from religious leaders of many faiths, the New Jersey Senate has defeated a bill to permit marriage of same sex couples.

I was particularly impressed by Mr. Codey's speech, citing past civil rights issues such as voting rights for blacks and for women. He pointed out that such rights were denied by our government, and asked, "What were we thinking? What were we afraid of?" and likened this to the current issue of rights for same sex couples.

Last night another senator declared failure of the body to meet "its State Constitutional duty". I must agree.

This is a sad and shameful day for New Jersey. And with the new governor coming into office, we will surely see more of the same on all fronts.