[Active-l] (ACTION ITEM) (NEW JERSEY) Vote on partnership rights in New Jersey

[Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)]

	Focus on the Family has sent out an action item against a New Jersey  
Senate vote allowing same-sex partners to have say over their partner's  
estate in the event of a death without will, on the grounds that it's  
"the same status as marriage." They're asking their readership to call  
the New Jersey Assembly right away to call for a vote against it in the  
lower house. I recommend calls from New Jersey residents supporting  
this bill.
					- Dara

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New Jersey Pushes for More Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
January 6, 2006

[Received in email; no URL]

The New Jersey state Senate on Thursday passed a measure
to allow a person in a same-sex relationship to control
the estate and inheritance of his or her deceased partner
in the absence of a will, 365gay.com reported.

Two years ago, New Jersey passed a domestic-partner law
that guarantees hospital visitation and allows state
employees to claim same-sex partners on health benefits
and pensions.

The new measure gained support after Laurel Hester, an
investigator for the Ocean County prosecutor's office,
announced that she had lung cancer and just months to
live. She wanted her partner, Stacie Andree, to be
recognized as a beneficiary but Ocean County has refused
to recognize the same-sex relationship.

The unanimous Senate vote -- 35-0 -- surprised even
homosexual activists who were closely following the
proceedings.

"This is the most lopsided (gay)-rights vote in New Jersey
history," said Steven Goldstein, spokesman for Garden
State Equality, "and one of the most lopsided pro-gay
votes in American history."

The amendment is scheduled to go before the New Jersey
Assembly on Monday.

TAKE ACTION: If you live in New Jersey, please contact
your assemblyman and ask him or her to vote against
legislation that attempts to give same-sex unions the same
status as marriage between one man and one woman.

For easy-to-use contact information, please visit the
CitizenLink Action Center.

http://www3.capwiz.com/fof/officials/membersearch/? 
state=NJ&searchlast=&lvl=state