State of New Jersey Archives: on Civil Rights
Ray Lesniak:
Evolved from supporter of LGBT rights to an advocate
I was always a supporter of LGBT rights, but I evolved to become more than a supporter. I became an advocate. As I explained in the book I co-authored with Senator Weinberg, "What's Love Got To Do With It. The Case For Same Sex Marriage", I saw the hurt
that disowning your authentic self can do to a human being. And I saw the joy and the love when someone is free to embrace who they are. I came to believe that the recognition of same sex marriage would be uplifting for our entire society.
When Senator Weinberg and I insisted on a vote at the end on the legislative session under Governor Corzine, we were hoping for a miracle. A miracle that never came. We didn't have enough Senators, Democrats or Republicans.
We have not achieved marriage equality, but we're not going away. We won't rest until gay and lesbian couples have marriage equality in New Jersey.
Source: 2016-17 N.J. Governor campaign website, RaymondLesniak.com
Phil Murphy:
Equal pay for equal work by gender
It is unacceptable that gender inequality continues to exist in 2017. As governor, I will never put politics ahead of women's health and equality. Period.Gov. Christie sold out to right-wing special interests in order to further his own political
ambitions. He has attacked women's rights at every step, vetoing efforts to ensure equal pay.
Phil Murphy has devoted his time and energy looking out for real New Jerseyans by starting organizations that help those who need it most. He chaired 180
Turning Lives Around, a women's shelter in Monmouth County.
As governor, Phil will restore protections for women by restoring funding for women's health and creating a child and caregiver tax credit. And because women in NJ continue to earn 82 cents
for every dollar a man earns for equal work, Phil will prohibit employers from asking job applicants for their salary history. This is the type of commonsense approach that Phil will take and that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of women.
Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com
Jun 6, 2017
Phil Murphy:
Expand anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals
Phil is a strong and consistent advocate for the equal treatment of the LGBTQ community. As a truly inclusive governor, Phil will expand and enforce anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. He will eliminate once and for all the archaic
and discriminatory laws that subject LGBTQ residents to second class status. Specifically, Phil will:- Allow transgender people to select their gender on birth and death certificates and ensure that access to facilities is non-discriminatory;
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Ensure that all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, have equal access to healthcare and fertility treatment;
- Expand state contract set-asides to include LGBTQ-owned businesses, to make sure LGBTQ business leaders have a fair shot
to get ahead; and
- Reclassify veterans dishonorably discharged due to the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to an honorable discharge--so that they will be eligible for state benefits.
Source: 2017 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, Murphy4NJ.com
Jun 6, 2017
Steve Fulop:
Hung rainbow flag on City Hall when gay marriage legalized
On the day the Supreme Court finally declared Love = Love.... and made gay marriage legal across the country, we hung the rainbow flag outside City Hall.But our commitment to LGBT rights is not just about raising flags and changing our profile
pictures.... We believe in fighting for LGBT rights. Which is why the Human Rights Campaign has awarded Jersey City a "100-percent rating" two years in a row, making us the most LGBT friendly city in the state.
Source: 2016-17 N.J. gubernatorial campaign website, StevenFulop.com
Nov 1, 2015
Tom MacArthur:
Marriage between man and woman, but leave it to states
While all people should be treated equally under the law, Tom believes marriage is between one man and one woman.
Moreover, Tom believes that decisions on how to govern marriage belong with individual states and their voters, not activist courts or the federal government.
Source: 2014 N.J. House campaign website, TMac4congress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Jeff Bell:
I do not support affirmative action
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Require companies to hire more women & minorities"?
A: I do not support affirmative action.
Source: Email interview for 2014 N.J. Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jul 1, 2014
Jeff Bell:
Government should uphold one-man-one-woman marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: I believe marriage is between a husband and a wife and that the government should uphold this definition of marriage.
Source: Email interview for 2014 N.J. Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jul 1, 2014
Barbara Buono:
Daughter is gay; supports same-sex marriage
Christie and Buono clashed on marriage equality. Asked how he would react if any of his children told him they were gay, Christie maintained his opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage.
"If my children came to me and said they were gay I would grab them and hug them and tell them I love them," Christie said. "I would also tell them that your dad believes that marriage is between one man and one woman."
Buono, whose daughter is gay,
said the governor's position on marriage equality makes him like Sarah Palin and the GOP caucus in Iowa.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2013 N.J. Governor debates
Oct 16, 2013
Chris Christie:
If my kids were gay, I'd give them a hug; but no marriage
Christie and Buono clashed on marriage equality. Asked how he would react if any of his children told him they were gay, Christie maintained his opposition to legalizing same-sex marriage.
"If my children came to me and said they were gay I would grab them and hug them and tell them I love them," Christie said. "I would also tell them that your dad believes that marriage is between one man and one woman."
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2013 N.J. Governor debates
Oct 16, 2013
Cory Booker:
Supports gay marriage: We are all equal under the law
The two clashed sharply on just about every issue, including gay marriage and abortion. Booker said he supports same-sex marriage, saying "We are all equal under the law."Lonegan said "marriage is the greatest institution made by man"
because "it's about the children." Asked whether he believes gay couples should have children, he quipped: "That would be a biological phenomenon." He then added: "I have mixed feelings about that."
Source: Newark Star-Ledger coverage of 2013 N.J. Senate debate
Oct 9, 2013
Cory Booker:
African-Americans & gays should both be equal under the law
A state Superior Court judge last week ruled New Jersey must allow gay couples to get married. Lonegan said the ruling on same-sex marriage should be made by the state Legislature or people of New Jersey, not a judge.Booker disagreed and said that as
an African-American, he would "not be standing here right now if judges didn't say everyone in America is equal under the law."
"The ability to marry the person you love is one of the most fundamental liberties in America," he added.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger coverage of 2013 N.J. Senate debate
Oct 5, 2013
Steve Lonegan:
Same-sex marriage should be decided by voting, not judges
A state Superior Court judge last week ruled New Jersey must allow gay couples to get married. Lonegan said the ruling on same-sex marriage should be made by the state Legislature or people of New Jersey, not a judge.Booker disagreed and said that as
an African-American, he would "not be standing here right now if judges didn't say everyone in America is equal under the law."
"The ability to marry the person you love is one of the most fundamental liberties in America," he added.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger coverage of 2013 N.J. Senate debate
Oct 5, 2013
Barbara Buono:
Push legislature to legalize gay marriage
The Supreme Court's invalidation of a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act has effects immediately in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who supports civil unions but opposes gay marriage, is up for reelection in a blue state this fall.
Opponent Barbara Buono (D) is already trying to put some heat on him over DOMA. In a recent email blast, her gay daughter called Christie "a giant roadblock to New Jersey achieving equality for all." In the wake of the Supreme Court decision,
Buono is pushing the legislature for a vote to override his veto of gay marriage legislation last fall."Lawmakers who need [political] cover, they certainly have it now," she told the Post. "Those that need a way to rationalize their vote to
override, they've got it."
But some gay marriage activists say they simply don't have the 15 votes in the legislature to overcome Christie's veto. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney says he is planning a vote but has not scheduled one.
Source: Washington Post on 2013 N.J. Governor's debate
Jun 28, 2013
Chris Christie:
Supreme Court accepting gay marriage was "a bad decision"
Hours after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling today striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Gov. Chris Christie maintained his opposition to same-sex marriage and lambasted the high court. "It's just another example of judicial supremacy
rather than having the government run by the people we actually vote for," he said of the high court's 5-4 vote. "I thought it was a bad decision." Christie noted that DOMA originated with a Republican Congress & Democratic president. "I thought that
Justice (Anthony) Kennedy's opinion in many respects was incredibly insulting to those people, 340-some members of Congress who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, and Bill Clinton," he said. "They basically said the only reason to pass that bill
was to demean people."
Christie calls for voters to decide the issue in each state [which pleases liberals]. His opposition to gay marriage could maintain his conservative bone fides while pacifying GOP voters in early primary states.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2013 N.J. Governor's debate
Jun 27, 2013
Joe Kyrillos:
Evolved from opposing civil unions to support over marriage
Menendez said although he supported the Defense of Marriage Act in the House in the 1990s, which restricted the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage, he now favored it.Kyrillos, who has voted against
same-sex marriage twice in the state Senate, jumped on Menendez for changing his mind and said he wanted to "motivate civil unions," legislation he voted against in 2006.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2012 N.J. Senate debate
Oct 10, 2012
Robert Menendez:
Evolved from supporting DOMA to supporting same-sex marriage
Menendez said although he supported the Defense of Marriage Act in the House in the 1990s, which restricted the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage, he now favored it.Kyrillos, who has voted against
same-sex marriage twice in the state Senate, jumped on Menendez for changing his mind and said he wanted to "motivate civil unions," legislation he voted against in 2006.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2012 N.J. Senate debate
Oct 10, 2012
Dick Zimmer:
Supports Patriot Act as appropriate response
Zimmer said he supports the USA Patriot Act “as an appropriate response to a very serious existential problem to the United States,” adding that the
2002 law helped law enforcement monitor and track the nation’s enemies through the Electronic Age’s newer forms of communications.
Source: Press of Atlantic City on 2008 N.J. Senate Debate
May 23, 2008
Joe Pennacchio:
DOMA instead of same-sex marriage
Q: Should New Jersey recognize marriages between same-sex couples? A: No.
Q: Do you support a New Jersey constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman?
A: Yes.
Source: N.J. Gubernatorial 2007-2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 2, 2007
Joe Pennacchio:
No general affirmative action in state decisions
Q: On Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on: Public employment?A: No.
Q: State college and university admissions?
A: No.
Q: State contracting?
A: No.
Pennacchio adds, “I agree with Supreme Court which held Affirmative Action can be used only when addressing ‘specific’ instances of discrimination.”
Source: N.J. Gubernatorial 2007-2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 2, 2007
John Wisniewski:
No affirmative action in state hiring
Q: Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:- Q: Public employment?
- A: No.
Q: State college and university admissions? - A: No.
Q: State contracting? - A: No.
Source: Gubernatorial 2007-2008 N.J. Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2007
Robert Menendez:
Support affirmative action in all government contracts
Q: Should the government should take greater account of affirmative action considerations in awarding its contracts?KEAN: I support merit-based initiatives that recognize the value of diversity and believe we need to ban pay-to-play, which
discriminates against minority access to government programs.
MENENDEZ: The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for contracts - including small, minority and women-owned businesses.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean)
Sep 24, 2006
Robert Menendez:
Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a uniting symbol
Q: Do you support a constitutional amendment to prevent the burning of the American flag? KEAN: I believe our flag is a sacred symbol, a monument to freedom and I support a Constitutional Amendment banning the desecration of the American flag.
MENENDEZ: I voted for the flag burning amendment because I believe the flag, as a uniting symbol of our country, should be protected.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean)
Sep 24, 2006
Robert Menendez:
Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but don’t take away rights
Q: Do you believe that same sex marriages should be legal? KEAN: I believe marriage is between one man and one woman but do not support a federal constitutional amendment.
MENENDEZ: I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but oppose a federal constitutional amendment. The constitution shouldn’t be amended to take away rights.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate (X-ref Kean)
Sep 24, 2006
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Support merit-based initiatives, not affirmative action
Q: Should the government should take greater account of affirmative action considerations in awarding its contracts?KEAN: I support merit-based initiatives that recognize the value of diversity and believe we need to ban pay-to-play, which
discriminates against minority access to government programs.
MENENDEZ: The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for contracts - including small, minority and women-owned businesses.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate
Sep 24, 2006
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Supports Amendment banning flag-burning, a sacred symbol
Q: Do you support a constitutional amendment to prevent the burning of the American flag? KEAN: I believe our flag is a sacred symbol, a monument to freedom and I support a Constitutional Amendment banning the desecration of the American flag.
MENENDEZ: I voted for the flag burning amendment because I believe the flag, as a uniting symbol of our country, should be protected.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate
Sep 24, 2006
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Supports 1-man-1-woman marriage, but no Amendment
Q: Do you believe that same sex marriages should be legal? KEAN: I believe marriage is between one man and one woman but do not support a federal constitutional amendment.
MENENDEZ: I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but oppose a federal constitutional amendment. The constitution shouldn’t be amended to take away rights.
Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate
Sep 24, 2006
Jim McGreevey:
Consider race and sex in making state contract decisions
Supports the following principles regarding affirmative action in New Jersey. - The New Jersey government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sectors.
- The New Jersey government should consider race and sex in making hiring, contracting and admissions decisions.
Source: 1997 N.J.Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1997
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021