Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) issued the following statement in reaction to Governor Christie’s recent announcement that the issue of same-sex marriage should be put on the ballot in November as a referendum:
“I thought the Governor indicated to us early on that he was going to be a leader. I am extremely disappointed that he has chosen instead to hide behind a call for a referendum on marriage equality rather than give his input on an important civil rights issue of the day. It is a shame he has put national political ambitions ahead of what should be encouraged as a vote of consciousness.
Our state’s civil union law falls woefully short in recognizing a same sex couple’s ability to form marital bonds and all the rights that should accompany that. As public officials, we have a responsibility to correct this discrimination. If marriage is a contractual relationship sanctioned by the state government, then it should be done on an equitable basis,” said Gusciora.