By a vote of 42-to-33, The New Jersey Assembly has given final legislative approval to a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

All the Republicans and four Democrats voted against the marriage equality bill.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver expressed the views of many Democrats who supported it, saying New Jersey’s civil union law is not working.

“We are currently subjugating a portion of our constituency to unequal treatment under the law.”

Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber spoke against the bill. He says the state’s civil union law grants all the rights and privileges of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.

“I do not believe gay and lesbian couples have the right to make their desires able to override or redefine the institution of marriage for everyone else in this society.”

Even though it faces a promised veto by Governor Chris Christie, gay marriage advocates in New Jersey are cheering final legislative approval of bill.

Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein says the Assembly’s passage of the measure is a milestone.

“The legislature has brought us to the edge of 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.”