Ed Barocas: ACLU of New Jersey legal director says New Jersey’s civil union law has failed to keep its promise of equality.
Cindy Meneghin and Maureen Kilian: Plaintiffs in New Jersey’s marriage equality case, which led to civil unions but stopped short of marriage, point out how they and other same-sex couples remain “dangerously vulnerable” to injustice.
Denise and Fran Brunner: Couple that had been married as man and woman, now married as two women because one is transgender, says “there is not one straight couple in this state who has been harmed because we are in a same-sex marriage.”
Kathy Hume: Mom discusses the impact of New Jersey’s denying marriage equality on her gay son.
Jim O’Keefe: Videographer of the testimony on this website, a straight ally, is compelled to come forth to say why he strongly supports marriage equality.
Laura Tramontin: Civil union partner talks about the impact of New Jersey’s civil union law on her daughter when her daughter realizes her parents aren’t married and thinks it’s illegal to have two moms.
Tom Prol: New Jersey State Bar Association trustee, continuing his earlier testimony, discusses the added costs to businesses that result from New Jersey’s civil union law.
Rabbi Daniel Epstein: Rabbi from the Conservative movement says “lesbians and gay men were created by God as they are and we should celebrate their uniqueness,” and they deserve the freedom to marry.
Dr. Joan Rivitz: Chair of the New Jersey Civil Rights Commission reads the Commission’s unanimous resolution in support of marriage equality.
Rev. Leah Fowler: United Church of Christ minister, herself partnered, says she and her partner think about having children but wonder how they would describe their relationship since they can’t get married.
Anthony Giarmo: PFLAG parent reads a letter addressed to the state legislature in which he talks about the pain to him and his son because his son can’t get married.
Rev. Rose Levant-Hardy: Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship minister discusses the difficulties she and her partner have faced because of New Jersey’s civil union law – as well as the law’s negative impact on lower-income African-American LGBT families.
Lori Davenport: Partner in a civil union couple which lives in both New Jersey and Florida says they have an easier time getting their relationship recognized in Florida – pointing out how a hospital in New Jersey put them through ridiculous hoops.
Lisa Hardaway: Lambda Legal staff member reads letter from the director addressed to Governor Corzine and legislative leaders, calling for a marriage equality statute to replace New Jersey’s failing civil union law.
Russell Grigg: Civil union partner says that because same-sex couples pay the same New Jersey taxes as straight couples, all couples should have equal access to marriage.
Kenneth Kaplan: New Jersey Libertarian Party leader says civil unions are discriminatory and should be replaced with marriage equality.
Dr. Kevin Slavin and Bill Koumas: Civil union couple talks about being denied recognition and benefits under New Jersey’s civil union law.
Rabbi Bill Kraus: Rabbi from the Reform movement, himself a civil union partner, says the Berlin Wall is a metaphor for New Jersey’s civil union law, which divides people.
David Smith: Garden State Equality managing director continuing his earlier testimony, notes that 405 organizations, representing more than one million residents of New Jersey, support a marriage equality statute.
Len Deo: Conservative leader who told the press that conservatives were shut out of the Commission hearings – but they had the same chance to testify, and here Len does.
Tom Prol: New Jersey State Bar Association trustee, continuing his earlier testimony, summaries the many problems of New Jersey’s civil union law.
Harry Nussbaum and Tom Laurita: Civil union couple talks about being denied recognition and benefits under New Jersey’s civil union law.
Luanne Peterpaul: Garden State Equality vice chair and attorney discusses the negative impact of New Jersey’s civil union law on her clients and on her and her partner.
Susan Waldman: Straight activist, married 42 years, testifies for marriage equality.
Cheryl Restaino: Teacher and parent of a gay son talks about how marriage equality would help him and also benefit her students.
Dwight Grogan: Civil union partner talks about being denied recognition and benefits under New Jersey’s civil union law, and the negative impact the law has on their young nephew.
Bert Morris: Advocate says same-sex couples are also families and should have marriage equality to honor their family values too.
Pamela Weir: Civil union partner talks about being denied recognition under New Jersey’s civil union law, and that she wouldn’t even know which government agency to complain to – that she would go to Garden State Equality.
Henri Simonetti: Flight attendant says airlines discriminate against same-sex couples in the United States but not in Canada, where same-sex couples can marry.
Paul Beckwith: Civil union partner who entered a hospital for emergency surgery testifies that his partner was not allowed to see him – and that his partner was actually removed by hospital security.
Shane Miller: Civil union partner explains the difficulties in getting a name change that a married spouse wouldn’t face.
Anthony Pietrangolare: Civil union partner cancelled wedding reception because mom couldn’t understand what a civil union is.
Leslie Farber: New Jersey State Bar Association’s LGBT section leader, continuing her earlier testimony, discussed the negative impact of New Jersey’s civil union law on her clients.
Rev. L.L. DuBreuil: United Church of Christ pastor says that by not allowing her to perform marriages of same-sex couples, the state is interfering with her religion.
