GSE's IMMEDIATE COMMUNIQUE To Gov. Corzine
Regarding today's Ruling

"Dear Governor Corzine and members of the New Jersey Legislature:

We 268 community leaders are a cross-section of the vast progressive base of the New Jersey electorate. We include 84 African-American community leaders, 68 Latino/a community leaders, 54 labor union leaders and organizers, and 62 leaders from grassroots advocacy organizations that are predominantly straight. In light of today’s ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court, we express our support for marriage-equality legislation.

We are among the majority of New Jerseyans who support marriage for same-sex couples. According to a 2006 Zogby-Garden State Equality Poll, 56 percent of New Jersey support marriage equality while only 39 percent oppose it. The other recent statewide polls also show that a majority of New Jerseyans support marriage equality.

As members of Garden State Equality’s African-American, Latino/a and Labor Caucuses, together with allies from grassroots advocacy organizations, we ask you to keep New Jersey the State That Doesn’t Hate. Please pass 100 percent marriage equality legislation so New Jersey can treat all its families equally."

LEADERS FROM PREDOMINANTLY STRAIGHT GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NEW JERSEY

Erik Anderson, Northwest New Jersey For Democracy
Barbara Babcock, Union County For Democracy
Ed Barocas, ACLU of New Jersey
William J. Brown, Co-coordinator, Progressive Democrats of New Jersey
Laura Cayford, Monmouth For Democracy
Richie Chevat, BlueWave NJ
Claire Ciliotta, BlueWave NJ
Rosi Efthim, New Jersey for Democracy and Hunterdon Democracy For America
Paul Eisenmann, Chair, Bergen Grassroots
Barbara Epstein, Progressive Democracy South Jersey
Roger D. Fox, Essex County Democracy For America
Eileen Fausey, Citizens for Progressive Representation
Louise Friedman, Democracy for America/Hoboken Progressives
Jeff Gardner, New Jersey For Democracy and Passaic Democracy For America
Carol Gay, Democratic Candidate for Congress, NJ-4
Neal Gorfinkle, Administrative Organizer, SEIU 1199
Emily Grand, BlueWave NJ
Peter Gross, BlueWave NJ
Madelyn Hoffman, Director, New Jersey Peace Action
George Hunt, Progressive Democracy South Jersey
Jeanne LoCicero, ACLU of New Jersey
Deborah Jacobs, Executive Director, ACLU of New Jersey
Katherine Joyce, Essex County Democracy For America
David Kalkstein, Progressive Democracy South Jersey
Phyllis Salowe Kaye, Executive Director, New Jersey Citizen Action
Robin Kinlin, New Jersey For Democracy and Ocean Democracy For America
Shelley Krause, Mercer for Democracy, Princeton Township Democratic Committee
Gigi Lax, Passaic County Democracy For America
Mitch Manzella, New Jersey For Democracy and Middlesex Democracy For America
Mary Ellen Marino, Progressive Caucus of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee
Marcia Marley, President, BlueWave NJ
Sally McInerney, Citizens for Progressive Representation
Juan Melli, Chair, BlueJersey.net
Lewis Miller, Bergen Grassroots
Alan Myers, BlueWave NJ
Claire M. Nagel, Citizens for Progressive Representation
Lucy O'Brien, BlueWave NJ
Joanne O'Neill, Progressive Democracy South Jersey
Timothy J. O'Neill, Progressive Democracy South Jersey
Suzannah Porter, President, NOW New Jersey
Bettie J. Reina, Citizens for Progressive Representation
Nick Reina, Citizens for Progressive Representation
Dana Ricci, BlueWave NJ
Chip Robinson, Morris County Democracy For America
David Robinson, New Jersey For Democracy and Essex Democracy For America
Eleanor Ross, Monmouth For Democracy
Woody Ross, Monmouth For Democracy
Nathan Rudy, Council President, North Plainfield
Cristina Rojas, New Jersey For Democracy and Hudson Democracy For America
Donna Schiavone, Bergen Women's Political Caucus
Daniel Schoenberg, Morris County Democracy For America/Progressive Democrats of America
Mike Sedita, Northwest New Jersey For Democracy
Robin Seidon, BlueWave NJ
Jo Sippie-Gora, Seeds of Peace
Jake Stuiver, Hudson Democracy For America
Gerald D. Troiano, New Jersey for Feingold
Mary Walworth, Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War
Eve Weissman, New Jersey Citizen Action
Tom Wyka, Democratic Candidate for Congress, NJ-11
Paul Younghouse, Union County For Democracy
Joanne Zippel, BlueWave NJ
E.J. Zipprich, Monmouth For Democracy

GARDEN STATE EQUALITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN CAUCUS

Rev. Kevin E. Taylor, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick, Chair
Rev. Janyce L. Jackson, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark, Chair
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West, Drew University Theological School, Chair
Bev Beasley, African Asian Latina Lesbians United
Eddie Beck, Gay Straight Alliance, Rutgers University
Sandra Benthall, Liberation in Truth, Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Marybeth Boger, African Asian Latina Lesbians United
Millicent Braden, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Quincy Brayton, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Peter Briggs, New Jersey State Conference. NAACP
Joseph Brister
James Carrington, North Jersey Community Research Initiative
Minister Victoria Castillo, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Linda Champiou, Liberation in Truth, Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Rev. LaDana Clark, Church in the Hood
Tamara Cooper, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Albert Cunningham
Sacha Darius
Patricia Dillon
June Dowell-Burton, Newark Pride Alliance
Vailene Fields, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Pamela Kelly Fields, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Michael Folger, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Deacon Rwanda Gross, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Christine Hamlett, Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Northern New Jersey
Rev. Rose Hardy, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Curt Harris, Grace Van Vorst Episcopal Church New Brunswick
Steve Hatcher, People’s Organization for Progress, Plainfield Branch
Rochelle Hayles, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Lyn Headley-Deavours, Episcopal Diocese of Newark;
Rev. Allen Hinman, retired Episcopal clergy
Elder Rev. Jacquelyn Holland, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Gloria Irby, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church
Netta Irby, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church
Rev Janyce Jackson, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church in Newark
Dawn James
Cassandra Jetter, Booker Team
Jonathan Jones, author
Christine Hamlett, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network of Northern New Jersey
Jeffrey Hopkins
Kathryn Kawecki, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Montclair
Keith Kawecki, St. John’s Episcopal Church Montclair
Patricia Knowles Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Kathy Knox Dillon, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Tiye Lasley, African Asian Latina Lesbians United
Lou Leffler, St. Mark’s Church Mendham
Waleska Lucas
Gail MacQuaide, Grace Episcopal Church, Plainfield
TaShia Marsh, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Shea Maultsby Human Rights Campaign
Helena Maxwell, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Michele Meyer-Shipp, Merrill Lynch
Pamela Miller, Garden State Bar Association
Karen Mitcham, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Rev. Gladys Moore, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Jersey City
Laquetta Nelson, New Jersey Stonewall Democrats founder
Minister Shonda Nicholas, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Peter Oates, African American Office of Gay Concerns
Christian Paolino, Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Deacon Tanya Parker, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Michael Petti, Christ Episcopal Church
Ranessa Porter, United Methodist Church of New Brunswick
Deacon Carmen Price, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Janine Quinlan, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Rev. Don Ransom, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Aida Rawlins
Lorna Reid, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Randi Rhodes Liberation in Truth, Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Ron Rice, Jr., Councilman, Newark, New Jersey
Tony Robinson Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Sharon Robinson, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Aurea Rodriguez, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
M.W. Savant, SavvyPlanners.com
Charlene Singleton, Victory Tabernacle Seventh Day Christian Church
Audrey Skeete, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Victoria Smith, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Shirley Spriggs Liberation in Truth, Unity Fellowship Church, Newark
Rev. Kevin Taylor, Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick
Deacon Priscilla Thomas, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Joseph Vereen, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church Newark
Rita Warfield
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West, Drew Theological School
Lynne Womble, African Asian Latina Lesbians United
Gary Paul Wright, African American Office of Gay Concerns

GARDEN STATE EQUALITY LABOR CAUCUS

Bill Kane, President, New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, Chair
Hetty Rosenstein, President, Communications Workers of America Local 1037, Chair
Dottie Gutenkauf, AFT Retirees of New Jersey, Chair
Margaret Allan, American Federation of Teachers Local 4277
Dominick Antonicello, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Robert Arey, American Federation of Teachers Local 1839, New Jersey City University
Diane Beeny, Industrial Union Council Solidarity Singers
Robert Began, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Kenneth D. Bishop, Communications Workers of America Local 1058
Christine Carmody-Arey, American Federation of Teachers Local 1839
Mariella Chavez, Communications Workers of America Local 1023
Rosemarie Cipparulo, AAUP/Communications Workers of America
Catherine Danata, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Nicole Daywalt, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Frank DeMaria, Industrial Union Council
Helen French, Communications Workers of America
Carol Gay, Communications Workers of America and NJ Industrial Union Council
Karin Goodman, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Theresa Guerriere, American Federation of Teachers
Harry Guerriere, Jersey City Education Association
Josef Gutenkauf, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
John F. Hall, USW 943
Natalia Hervia
John Kang, Democracy for America
Carla Katz Communications Workers of America Local 1034
Ann M. Klopp American Federation of Teachers Local 4277
Frances Ladson, Unite Here
Mark Lender, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Phillip A. Lewis, American Federation of Teachers Local 2373
Adam Liebtag, Communications Workers of America Local 1034
Michele Liebtag, Communications Workers of America Local 1034
Barbara Mapp, Communications Workers of America Local 1058
Kenneth McNamara, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Timothy Mitchell, Communications Workers of America Local 1058
Susan Morehead, New Jersey Education Association, NEA, PCEA
Charlie Murphy, Communications Workers of America Local 1058
Annmarie Pinarski, Communications Workers of America
Bettie Reina, Communications Workers of America
Nick Reina, Communications Workers of America
Jean Romsted, Industrial Union Council Solidarity Singers
Lilliam Rosado, American Federation of Teachers Local 1839
Christopher Shelton, Communications Workers of America
Karen Siefring, F.O.R.C.E American Federation of Teachers 2373
Anna Stephens, Communications Workers of America Local 1034
Ray Stever, Steelworker / Industrial Union Council
Susan Stone, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Karen Syczeparski, Health Professionals & Allied Employees
Anthony C. Tallarico, Communications Workers of America Local 1034
Vikki U. Thurston, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Maureen Timmons, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Debbie Turner
John Paul Velez, Communications Workers of America Local 1037
Jordan Wills, IINJ
Bennet D. Zurofsky, New Jersey State Industrial Union Council

GARDEN STATE EQUALITY LATINO/A CAUCUS

Rev. Edgar A. Gutierrez-Duarte, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Paterson, Chair
Rev. Gus Vinajeras, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Union City, Chair
Anahi Galante, interfaith minister, Jersey City, Chair
Jose Ramon Acevedo
Maxim Almenas, New Jersey City University
Sonia Aranjo
Rafaela Billini, Garden State Equality
Cynthia Blandino, New Jersey City University
Tonio Burgos, Tonio Burgos and Associates
Miguel Cardenas, Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach
Ivelisse Cartagena
Vanessa Casaretto, Chilltown Pride Center
Ida H. Castro, IC Alliance Development Group
Louis Cid, Chilltown Pride Center
Yvette Cid, Chilltown Pride Center
Jasmin Colon, New Jersey City University
Rosanna Cruz
Lucious Cox, Jr. AAMR
DanielCandelario
Roberto Deane, Garden State Equality
Priscila DeCarvalho, Artist
Jessella DeLaCruz
Dr. Nicolas DuMont, Columbia University
Gilda Espinal, Association for a More Just Society
Zulima Ferrer, civil rights leader, Paterson
Douglas Flores, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network
Judith Galang, New Jersey City University
Susan Gamba, Chilltown Pride Center
Tina Garcia
J.C. Gehring Sr.
Yolanda Gehring, Chilton Memorial Hospital
Marta Gonzalez
Vanessa Gonzalez
Diane Gonzalez
Oscar Gonzalez
Jackie Lacayo
Jasi Maria Lanya
Suzanne Clare LaRosa
William LaRosa
Susana Latorre
Elaine Lazzaris, Artist
R.J. Legge
Rosario Lopez-Rivera, United Church of Christ Congregational, Plainfield
Paul Mendoza, Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach
Renata Moreira, Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach
Roberto Napoleon
Norman Ortega
Rev. Damaris Ortega, United Church of Christ Congregational, Plainfield
Anthony Papaleo
Rita Papaleo
Araya Perez
Rev. Gregory Perez, Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Margaret Ramos
Aida Rawlins, civil rights leader
Cristal Reyes, civil rights leader
Wanda Rios
Anna "Cuqui" Rivera, Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey
Paul Rodriguez
Carmen Salavarrieta, El Centro Hispanoamericano
Al Santiago
Jisandrina Santos
Frank Solano, Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals
Nitza Tufino, artist
Virna Vargas, artist
Lia Varsalona
Rossana Villaflor, New Jersey City University
Cristina Villaflor, New Jersey City University
Sergio Villamizar, New Jersey City University