Essex County Politicians Applaud Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Decision

Since the Supreme Court’s watershed ruling in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26, several political leaders and advocacy organizations in Essex County have come out in support of the decision.

See what they had to say about the Supreme Court’s decision below.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)

“Fundamental questions of freedom and equality have been raised by every generation as we have marched onward as a country,” Booker wrote on his website. “Throughout our history, these questions were asked by Abolitionists, by Suffragettes, by Civil Rights activists, by gay rights pioneers – by ordinary Americans with extraordinary courage and an abiding determination to move America forward.”

“These questions are deeper than race, than gender, or sexual orientation,” he continued. “They are questions of whether our nation will live up to our ideals. One of the most essential questions of our time is whether Americans who love the person they choose will be viewed as equals by the government under the law. Jim Obergefell and James Arthur courageously posed this question when their legal journey began two years ago.”

“Today, the Supreme Court has given its answer. Love wins.”

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

“This is a tremendous day for the LGBT community, their families, and their friends who have stood beside them,” Menendez stated. “The Supreme Court has ended one of the blatant forms of discrimination that keep loving families apart based solely on who they love and where they live. This decision brings us closer to our nation’s promise of equal rights for all, and this victory belongs to those who can now marry who they love across America.”

“However, today’s victory does not mean that the fight is over,” Menendez continued. “Already we are seeing efforts to categorically deny LGBT individuals protections against unjust firings, unlawful evictions, or even refused service in restaurants.”

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10)

“I am thrilled that the Supreme Court made the correct decision in affirming the right of same-sex couples to marry,” Payne stated in a release.

“Every person should receive equal treatment and protection no matter whom they love, and the Court’s decision is a critical step toward fulfilling our promise of fairness and equality. Today is a tremendous triumph for American families who have fought long and hard for basic civil rights and true equality.”

Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson

“I think the court weighed in very carefully and made a wonderful and long-awaited decision,” Jackson told The Montclair Times.

“For many of our residents, it’s a welcomed decision that is a long time coming.”

Jacqueline Stapel (Candidate for Assembly, D-24)

“The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed what most Americans have felt for a long time,” Stapel told TAP Livingston.

“When one group of citizens is denied any right afforded to the rest of the population, all of the nation’s citizens are the lessor for it. LGBTQ rights have long been a personal issue for me. Aside from my friends that had enough trust in me to comeout over the years, my grandfather was gay. He was an opera singer, a father of 5 and proud to have been one of the few of his generation that were not only true to themselves but, to those around them.”

Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca

“We have marriage equality today,” DeLuca told a crowd of hundreds during a celebration of the ruling in Maplewood on June 26. “It matters little what zip code you’re in. It matters who you love, who you want to spend your life with.”

Do you agree with these representatives? Share your opinion in the comments section.