One Step Forward, One Step Back: Washington States Approves Gay Civil Rights; NJ Gov. Ignores Constituents' Call For Same-Sex Marriage

Despite the fact that a majority of the constituents that elected him are in favor of marriage equality, New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie can't wait to wrap his fat little fingers around a hasty veto in his state. This, despite the fact that late Thursday, the state's Assembly passed a same-sex marriage that would make it the eighth state to allow gays their civil rights. Today's vote followed the New York Senate's 24-16 vote in favor of the measure earlier this week.

"This is a historic day in the state of New Jersey," Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said after the vote. This vote is "what citizens sent us here to do: deliberate (and) use the legislative process to represent the interests of all New Jerseyans. These principles are part of the bedrock of our constitution and should not be dismissed summarily.”

Christie, however, is apparently too busy stuffing his gullet with barbecued chicken wings to have noticed a recent voter poll that found 52% of New Jersey citizens are in favor of gay marriage, while 42% oppose it.

But there's good news on the other side of America. On Monday, Washington became the seventh state to legalize gay marriage after Gov. Christine Gregoire signed the measure into law. It will take effect June 7.

Gregoire noted that the feat marked a “very proud moment. We’re here today to make history in this great state. We did what was right, we did what was just, we did what was fair." *