Trenton, NJ – On Monday night, the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly passed a bill to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey.   The measure passed with a 7-6 vote.   A Senate vote on the measure is expected for Thursday.

New Jersey has long been a leader in the the gay rights movement.  Our state was the first to recognize civil unions which allowed gay couples most of the benefits of marriage, but complaints about hospitals, employers and health insurance providers not openly accepting civil unions on the same footing as marriage have caused an uproar in recent years.

Gay couples routinely face discrimination at hospitals where civil unions are not recognized keeping loved ones away from each other in times of need.

In 2004, New Jersey became the first state in United States history with an openly gay Governor when Jim McGreevey confessed “My truth is that I am a gay American.” after a controversy involving his appointment of homeland security advisor Golan Cipel.