Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) released the following statement Wednesday on the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Gusciora was the prime sponsor of New Jersey’s Marriage Equality Act to recognize same-sex marriages:
“Now that DOMA has been declared invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court, New Jersey should no longer discriminate by upholding civil unions, and instead, grant full marriage which is now confirmed by our federal government. The court’s decision is an essential step and I commend those five justices for their ruling.
“This victory notwithstanding, we still need to correct our own inequality here in New Jersey by either the Governor withdrawing his veto on marriage equality or by placing the matter up to the voters so we can correct this ourselves.
“While New Jersey is still only one of two states in the Northeast without same-sex marriage, this landmark decision by the Supreme Court recognizes the rights and privileges of all loving, committed couples who currently have marriage licenses. Hopefully this decision will provide greater traction for New Jersey in acquiring the same equality.
“As for Prop 8, we congratulate California on becoming the next state to recognize marriage equality. I look forward to joining them,” said Gusciora.