Marriage Equality Press Conference Held Today in Westfield

Democrats and members of Garden State Equality will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. today at 844 Dorian Road to ask Republicans for their support in the fight for marriage equality in New Jersey.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Senator and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Barbara Buono will attend today's conference in Westfield, home to Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) and Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union). Buono, who represents the 18th District, is a gay rights advocate and mother to a gay daughter.

Democrats and gay rights advocates are seeking the Republicans' help in an attempt to override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of gay marriage.

Last week, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), allowing federal benefits to same-sex marriages. Union County advocates told Patch they were "overjoyed" by the decision.

Check back with Patch later today for coverage of the press conference.