NJ’s Chris Christie Vetoes Marriage Equality Bill

As he promised, Governor Chris Christie (R) has vetoed the Marriage Equality Bill that would have extended the rights of marriage to committed, same-sex couples.

Said Christie, in a statement on his conditional veto, “I have been just as adamant that same-sex couples in a civil union deserve the very same rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples — as well as the strict enforcement of those rights and benefits… Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen’s right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied. To that end, I include in my conditional veto the creation of a strong Ombudsman for Civil Unions to carry on New Jersey’s strong tradition of tolerance and fairness.”

Really? If Christie was so concerned about tolerance and fairness he wouldn’t have had any trouble signing the bill into law. What’s even more upsetting is that he is the same man who so strongly despised MTV’s Jersey Shore that he issued the following statement after pulled $420,000 in tax credits from the production. In November he said, “…as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the state and its citizens.”

Let’s be honest. If he thinks Jersey Shore made New Jersey look bad then he should take away his own salary for how bad he made the state look today. Anyone concerned with perpetuating misconceptions about his state should no better than to stamp it with a thick, red FAIL concerning marriage equality.

He insists that the people of New Jersey need to vote on whether a group of citizens are treated equally under the law. If, throughout our nation’s history, the people got to vote on who gets treated equally, the world would be a VERY different place today… far worse.

Twitter is reacting and the #ShameOnYouChris hashtag. Show your outrage and join in this very public discussion.

Selected #ShameOnYouChris tweets:

[tweet https://twitter.com/#!/RyanNewYork/status/170644984972836864] [tweet https://twitter.com/#!/dmcrawford/status/170665606327177216] [tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mpatrickwalker/status/170643800409116672]

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About the author

I’m Tommy, a writer and storyteller who works in marketing for the arts and cultural communities. I’m the author of Mabel Stanley and the Town That Was Built All Wrong, a fun and heartfelt book, and I’m currently working on a novel about self-discovery and the complexities of memory. Writing is a big part of my life, but I also enjoy creating experiences that bring people together, which is why my husband, Matt, and I co-run the online store Have Fun Spread Joy. It’s all about embracing the playful side of life and giving back along the way. I’m married to Matt, and we share our home with our two pets, Zoey (the cat) and Dixie (the dog). When I’m not writing, working on our store, or doing marketing for the arts, I like to dive into theater, something I want to get more involved with over time. I was diagnosed with ADHD, and while it comes with its own set of challenges, it also gives me a unique perspective that I try to channel into everything I do. Whether it’s writing, working on creative projects, or finding ways to spread joy, I’m all about making a lasting impact in whatever I do.

Tommy Karr