gaywrites:

The New Jersey Assembly today passed a marriage equality bill for the first time ever, with a 42-33 vote.

However, Governor Chris Christie has already promised he’ll veto the bill, and there’s discussion of a referendum. Details from the Advocate:

Legislative leaders have strongly opposed the referendum suggestion, saying that civil rights should not be put to a vote. They have engaged in an escalating war of words with the governor since Christie suggested last month that civil rights leaders in the South “would have been happy” to have a referendum in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Should Christie reject the legislation as promised, lawmakers could attempt to override his veto, but it remains unclear whether they can muster enough Republican support to bypass the governor with two-thirds majorities in each chamber. Based on the vote tallies this week, another three votes would be needed to reach the threshold of 27 in the 40-member Senate, and 12 votes would be needed to reach the threshold of 54 in the 80-member Assembly.

Fingers crossed.

(via occupyallstreets)