Crowd rallies for gay marriage

as high court hears arguments

By CHRIS NEWMARKER, AP Writer, February 15, 2006

TRENTON, N.J. -- Waving signs and chanting slogans, dozens of activists for and against gay marriage rallied Wednesday outside New Jersey's Supreme Court, where justices were hearing arguments over whether same-sex unions are protected under the state Constitution.

About 40 gay rights activists from groups such as Garden State Equality and the National Organization for Women waved black and orange signs reading "Marriage Equality" and chanted slogans including, "Two, four, six, eight, we're the state that doesn't hate."

Stephen Wisner, 34, of Maplewood, was part of a group shaking signs at passing traffic.

"I've been with my partner for 20 years, I want what everyone else wants with marriage," Wisner said.

About 40 people gathered to rally against same-sex unions.  They gathered to pray and sing hymns and "God Bless America."

John Tomicki, chairman of the New Jersey Coalition to Rescue and Protect Marriage, said marriage is sacred and should be restricted to heterosexual couples.

"That's where our culture and history has been for thousands of years," Tomicki said.