Surprise!(?) - NJ Civil Union Commission Favors Marriage

Last night at a packed "Town Hall" meeting in South Orange, Garden State Equality detailed the findings of New Jersey Commission on Civil Unions. It began with an excerpt of the 2007 Academy Awards when the documentary 'Freeheld' won an Oscar to sympathetic and cheers supporters.

It continued with several brief clips from the film showing police Lt. Laurel Hester, who ultimately sucoumed to cancer, crediting the organization with the victory to pension benefits to her partner. The group has to its credit been responsible for the enactment of over 200 laws throughout the state. It then introduced a couple who had seen the failure of civil unions first hand.

One of the two was rushed to the hospital for a life threatening condition. When the other arrived at the hospital to check on her partner's condition, she had to educate the doctor on the nature of the civil union law and about her right to receive information. (The arrogance and ignorance of some in the medical professional is truly astounding at times.)

There were then a few words from J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, chairman of the Civil Union Review Commission, who serves as the state's Director of the NJ Division of Civil Rights.

Finally the nephew of Harvey Milk - Stuart Milk offered some encouraging words and some personal stories about his infamous uncle.

All in all it was a great gathering.

It really isn't a surprise that the civil union law is not meeting expectations. In the absence of action on a federal level, the benefits that the law promises just are not pratically significant. However in terms of equality -- the moral case cannot be overlooked. Members of same sex relationships deserve the same recognition as their heterosexual counterparts pure and simple.

The full report is available at the following address:
http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/downloads/CURC-Final-Report-.pdf

Hate crime legislation passes in NJ

Victory in New Jersey!
New Jersey Legislature Passes Gender Identity/Expression
Hate Crime and School Anti-Bulllying Law
[from NCTE's mailing list]

Today, the New Jersey General Assembly passed A4591/S2975 by a large majority of 65-10. This follows action last week in the state Senate where the bill passed unanimously 35-0. The law that passed will now go to Governor Corzine's desk for his expected signature.

NCTE congratulates our wonderful allies at Garden State Equality and Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey (GRAANJ) who have continued to represent transgender people in New Jersey with Incredible skill and determination.

Basically, the bill adds gender identity and expression to the state's hate crime law and gives teeth to New Jersey's safe school, anti-bullying laws.

According to Garden State Equality specifically, "the new law does the following:

1. Adds 'gender identity or expression' as a protected class to the state hate crimes law.

2. Updates other parts of the hate crimes law by adding 'national origin' as a protected category, which thus far has been included in the law by interpreting 'ethnicity' to include such; and substitutes the more sensitive term 'disability' for 'handicap.'

3. Specifies that a 'mistake of fact' by a defendant committing a hate crime is not a defense.

4. Requires two hours of hate-crimes sensitivity training for all new police officers.

5. Specifies suggested sentencing options to which judges can sentence defendants, such as anti-hate sensitivity training.

6. Creates a study Commission on Bullying in Schools, which has nine months to investigate the problem and make recommendations to the Governor and legislature for further legislation.

7. Requires schools post their anti-bullying policies on their websites, and to distribute their anti-bullying policies, within 120 days after enactment of the law."