FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Openly Gay NJ Assembly Candidates Support Civil Union Legislation

Berkeley Heights -- Green Party Assembly candidates George DeCarlo and Ryan Reyes today expressed their full support for the Civil Union legislation introduced by Assemblyman Matt Ahearn (G – District 38) to establish civil unions for opposite- and same-sex couples. This legislation—introduced on June 9, as Assembly Bill No. 3762—will allow all rights afforded civil-married couples under state jurisdiction to those choosing civil union if adopted by the State of New Jersey. Such law will enable opposite- and same-sex couples legal recognition avoiding the myriad of complications currently suffered by these persons under current public policy.

There are three generally recognized joinings being discussed and debated in the public forum: civil union, domestic partnership benefits and civil marriage.

Civil union as proposed in A3762 will give rights such as those granted by the State of Vermont’s civil union. Vermont granted same-sex couples only the ability to enter into such contracts after their Supreme Court’s decision requesting the legislature remedy the inherent unequal and discriminatory practice of denying lesbian and gay couples various rights under state law.

This differs significantly from the domestic partnership benefits (DPB) legislation that has been introduced by NJ Democrats after many months of discussion. While DPB is necessary for many couples not necessarily involved in intimate relationships, it does not address dozens of areas in law cited with the term spouse or the like.

"I am surprised that the Democratic members of the Assembly submitting this legislation ignored the chance to have New Jersey develop a standard for DPB to include all benefits given elsewhere in the country," said DeCarlo. "The bill does not include family/sick leave, funeral/bereavement leave, funeral/burial decisions, death benefits, right to sue for wrongful death and loss of consortium, tenancy and occupancy rights and, possibly, long-term care coverage, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans the state may have."

"Only four rights are granted under the ‘Family Leave Act’ as the DPB legislation is named. These are insufficient for equal living standards for our state’s same-sex couples from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community," said Ryan Reyes. The four rights in this domestic partnership benefits bill grant visitation rights and the right to make medical or legal decisions for an incapacitated domestic partner; exemption from transfer inheritance tax; eligibility for dependent coverage under State health benefits programs and public employee pension systems (county and municipal employees may be exempt); and application for the Law Against Discrimination when a person is a member of a domestic partnership benefits couple.

The candidates agree that "leadership" is what the current officials lack in their pandering to selected constituencies who ignore the consensus of state residents who desire to treat all people equally under the law. "Staying in front of the curve and guiding meaningful legislation through such hurdles is what leadership is all about," according to DeCarlo.

In New Jersey, a lawsuit regarding civil marriage has been initiated by several couples and is being publicly debated through the efforts of an out-of-state organization, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. It would be inappropriate at this time to submit civil marriage legislation while such legal action is being taken in the New Jersey courts.

-- Ryan Reyes and George DeCarlo are openly Gay Green Party candidates for NJ Assembly from the 21^st District (parts of Essex, Morris, Somerset & Union Counties)

-- Jonathan Oriole is also an openly gay Green Party candidate for NJ Assembly in District 33 (part of Hudson County)

Green Party of New Jersey

www.gpnj.org

George DeCarlo for Assembly and Ryan Reyes for Assembly - District 21

P.O. Box 172, Gillette, NJ 07933

(908) 322-4319

www.District21Greens.org

Jonathan Oriole for Assembly - District 31

965 Avenue C, #35, Bayonne, NJ 07002

(201) 913-5515

www.OrioleforAssembly.org