NOTE:  John Campbell, one of the panelists quoted in this article, is an active member of NOW-NJ.

Marriage forum brings opinions of all shapes

By SARA K. SATULLO, The Express-Times (nj.com), Dec. 6, 2006

Washington, NJ -- Liberty Township resident Anna Wilson wants to be able to say she is married to her life partner of almost 32 years.

Washington Township resident Vincent Delgado said, "God calls homosexuality an abomination."

There was room for both these views as more than 200 people converged to discuss same-sex marriage Tuesday night at Warren Hills Regional High School in Washington Township.

Judicial activism

Assemblyman Mike Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon, held the event to publicly discuss the state Supreme Court's October ruling that same-sex couples should be afforded the same rights of married, heterosexual couples.  He called it "another example of legislating from the bench."

"There are 8.5 million people in New Jersey, and here are four individuals deciding the entire process," he said during the forum.

The court gave the Legislature 180 days to address the issue through broadening the definition of marriage or through the creation of a separate status such as civil unions.

Larry Lustberg, co-counsel in the precedent-setting case for Lambda Legal, said litigating the issue "was an incredible honor, because I think this is one of the great civil rights issues of our time."

The forum began with five-minute position statements from the four panelists, including Doherty, before the floor was opened to the public.

Running the gamut

Attendees' opinions ran the gamut, and for the most part the audience remained respectful.  Many expressed displeasure because the court ruling did not include the input of residents.  It was difficult to determine an overwhelming presence.  Some saw it as an important civil rights step while some felt it threatened marriage and their rights.

"I'm willing to roll the dice.  Let's get it on the ballot and let the people of New Jersey vote on this issue," Doherty said during the forum, causing an eruption of applause.

Reggie Regrut, a civil activist who was handing out same-sex marriage postcards, urged all those involved to keep the debate from becoming sectarian.

"We need to keep religious values out of this realm," he said.

Yet, religious values continually resurfaced.

"I'm sticking up for my God and his worth," Delgado said.

Karen, a lesbian from Ocean County, approached the mike and said, "This is not an issue of faith, I am a very faithful person, and I'm not allowed to get married."

Many times panelists and opponents of same-sex marriage said marriage is a tradition between a man and woman.  Gay panelist John Campbell frequently said all gay couples are asking for is "the state to recognize a loving contract between two people."

"I'd like to see the Legislature define a traditional marriage as it has been for 5,000 years, one man and one woman," Mike Drake said.

Drake, of Stewartsville, said he is not against rights for same-sex couples, but he's concerned as a father about the implications for children in this decision.

"Ignorance is involved with tradition, and wisdom through time changes that," Karen said, while calling opposition to the decision an issue of "discrimination and bigotry.  "We once thought the world was flat."

Doherty said he was very offended by her comments.

"Sorry, I am not going to be called a bigot for standing up for tradition and the Legislature's rights," he said.

Lustberg said this is ultimately a civil rights issue.

"I really think 60 years from now, we'll see the sky as not falling," he said.  "And there will be people around the country who want to have a family and create the type of family they want."

Reporter Sara K. Satullo can be reached at 908-475-2174 or by e-mail at ssatullo@express-times.com.