As NJ Gov. Christie Prepares for Presidential Run, His Stance on Gay Marriage
With Gov. Chris Christie appearing on the verge of launching a campaign for the 2016 Republican nomination for president, here is an ongoing look at his stances on key issues.
GAY MARRIAGE
Christie delivered on a promise of swift action in February 2012 when he vetoed a gay marriage bill New Jersey lawmakers sent to him. The legislation was barely on his desk for six hours when Christie sent it back to lawmakers as a conditional veto, suggesting the state appoint an ombudsman to address complaints of same-sex couples and strengthen New Jersey’s civil union law in lieu of allowing gay couples to wed.
Christie has held firm on his opposition to same-sex marriage throughout his time in office, despite arguing for a separate-but-equal model of civil unions in New Jersey.
"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,'' Christie said in a prepared statement at the time of his veto.
“Discrimination should not be tolerated and any complaint alleging a violation of a citizen's right should be investigated and, if appropriate, remedied."
Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Legislature would continue to rally for same-sex marriage, but it would ultimately become legal through the courts.
In late 2013, the Christie administration appealed to the state's Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that said the state must recognize gay marriages. The ruling was spurred by the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that year striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996.
Christie dropped the appeal in October 2013 — about a month before New Jersey voters went to the polls to choose between Christie and his Democratic challenger.
By 
Comments