June 5, 2003

Office of Assemblyman Matt Ahearn
38th District    Bergen County

305 Route 17 South, Suite 3205
Paramus, New Jersey 07652

Phone: 201-261-8228    Fax: 201-261-1370
www.mattahearn.com

For Immediate Release: 

Contact:               Assemblyman Ahearn
                            Nancy Fingerhood
                            Phone: 201-261-8228
                            Fax: 201-261-1370

                            Matt Ahearn, (G-Fair Lawn)


AHEARN CIVIL UNION BILL ENSURING FULL EQUALITY INTRODUCED INTO ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) -- Assemblyman Matt Ahearn (G-Fair Lawn) introduced a civil union
Bill guaranteeing all the rights available to married couples for same sex
couples today.  The measure (A-3762) would permit adults of the same or
opposite sex, who are not related by blood, to establish civil unions in New
Jersey and be accorded the same benefits and protections as a spouse under
the laws of the State.

A Democrat sponsored Bill, the "Family Equality Act", which would establish
domestic partnerships extends some benefits available to married couples to
non-traditional couples, but stops far short of full equality in all family
relationships.  Domestic partnership does not address the needs of children
in non-traditional households, and they fail to address the full range of
property issues that can arise in any living situation where people live as
"partners" without the benefit of the right to get married.

Ahearn's Bill provides the rights of the parties to a civil union, with
respect to a child of whom either becomes the natural parent during the term
of the civil union, are to be same as those of a married couple.

There was talk of a Democrat introducing a civil union Bill last year, but
the domestic partnership model was seen as a way to appease progressive
voters without the political risk of doing what needs to be done for the
children of same sex couples - letting their parents get married.

"I am disappointed in the leadership in the Democratic Caucus," said Ahearn.
"New Jersey needs a full range of legal options for the diverse types of
living arrangements in 21st Century society.  Domestic Partnerships are but
one part of the trio of options needed today - traditional marriage, civil
unions, and domestic partnerships," according to Assemblyman Ahearn.

Ahearn hopes that his introducing a Civil Union Bill will push the Democrats
into doing the right thing sooner rather than waiting for a lame duck
session to solve part of an issue that leaves children and their gay parents
with an incomplete legislative solution.

"If you are going to do a thing, do it right.  Don't cut a compromise for
political pragmatism that leaves children out of the picture when it comes
to changes in family law," commented Ahearn.

Ahearn's civil union Bill would apply the legal benefits, protections and
responsibilities of spouses in like manner to the parties of a civil union
relating to title, tenure, descent and

distribution, intestate succession, waiver of will, survivorship or other
incidents of the acquisition, ownership or transfer, inter vivos or at
death, of real or personal property, including eligibility to hold real and
personal property as tenants by the entirety.

"This is the 21st century.  People should be entitled to more choices in
their lifestyle that are consistent with the way people live in today's
world- like it or not.   The Legislature has an obligation to create laws to
keep up with the way families are living in the real world."