Politics & Government
'We're Just Overjoyed': Local Advocates React to DOMA Decision
Patch asked local gay rights leaders for their thoughts on Wednesday's Supreme Court decision.
By Jessica Remo
Reporting by Union County editors Elizabeth Alterman, Nicole Bitette, Caitlin Mahon and Jessica Remo.
After the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, Patch turned to local gay rights leaders for their thoughts.
Fr. Robert L. Counselman of Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodbridge said the ruling is a step in the right direction for LGBT citizens, especially those in states where marriage equality is practiced.
"The Supreme Court's ruling on DOMA is a wonderful step forward for the rights of LGBT citizens of those states in which marriage equality is practiced and a clear call to states such as New Jersey to pass the legislation - if necessary over the veto of Governor Christie," he said. "The time has come for New Jersey to join in the drive for true equality in marriage for our LGBT brothers and sisters."
Summit resident Rev. Tracy Sprowls-Jenks is the minister of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, a liberal church that has long stood up for civil rights issues since its founding in 1889.
"We have been very active in this issue and we’re just overjoyed," Sprowls-Jenks told Patch. "Our denomination has been supporting LGBT folks for decades. I do more civil unions than hetero unions and we were the first church to ordain transgender people. We stand on the side of love and we will continue to do that. We are overjoyed that the Supreme Court did what we knew is valid and fair."
Janice Gossman, art teacher and Gay-Straight Alliance moderator at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, says there is still a long way to go when it comes to gay rights.
"This is an important victory in the fight for equality," Gossman told Patch. "As wonderful as this is, there is still work to be done. Until federal law gives gay couples the right to marry in every state, there will continue to be discrimination in the states that ban same-sex marriage. So, while we have come a long way on this issue, especially during the past few years, we still have a long way to go until our whole country has marriage equality."
On Facebook and Twitter, Patch readers also responded enthusiastically to the decision.
"It's about time. My relationship with my wife and child should not be lesser than any hetero relationship. On ANY level." - Kerry Smith, Garwood
"I am straight and THRILLED! Now we need to get NJ on board and legalize marriage equality." - Karen Strausberg Castor, Springfield
"No more DOMA! Pride is going to be insane this Sunday!" - Danielle Barany, Avenel
"Regardless of your opinion on gay marriage (which I do support), I think DOMA was just a bad law. We should never restrict the rights of one group of people over another." - Joanna Hurley, Scotch Plains
"One word. AWESOME!!!!!" - Jeffrey Rust, Westfield
"It's great for the few states where equal rights are for all. My marriage is still not recognized here in NJ. I get none of the benefits hetero couples get including not getting my wife's medical benefits." – Judith DeCrosta, Cranford
What do you think of the DOMA decision? Tell us in the comments.
"We have been very active in this issue and we’re just overjoyed," Sprowls-Jenks told Patch. "Our denomination has been supporting LGBT folks for decades. I do more civil unions than hetero unions and we were the first church to ordain transgender people. We stand on the side of love and we will continue to do that. We are overjoyed that the Supreme Court did what we knew is valid and fair."
Janice Gossman, art teacher and Gay-Straight Alliance moderator at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, says there is still a long way to go when it comes to gay rights.
"This is an important victory in the fight for equality," Gossman told Patch. "As wonderful as this is, there is still work to be done. Until federal law gives gay couples the right to marry in every state, there will continue to be discrimination in the states that ban same-sex marriage. So, while we have come a long way on this issue, especially during the past few years, we still have a long way to go until our whole country has marriage equality."
On Facebook and Twitter, Patch readers also responded enthusiastically to the decision.
"It's about time. My relationship with my wife and child should not be lesser than any hetero relationship. On ANY level." - Kerry Smith, Garwood
"I am straight and THRILLED! Now we need to get NJ on board and legalize marriage equality." - Karen Strausberg Castor, Springfield
"No more DOMA! Pride is going to be insane this Sunday!" - Danielle Barany, Avenel
"Regardless of your opinion on gay marriage (which I do support), I think DOMA was just a bad law. We should never restrict the rights of one group of people over another." - Joanna Hurley, Scotch Plains
"One word. AWESOME!!!!!" - Jeffrey Rust, Westfield
"It's great for the few states where equal rights are for all. My marriage is still not recognized here in NJ. I get none of the benefits hetero couples get including not getting my wife's medical benefits." – Judith DeCrosta, Cranford
What do you think of the DOMA decision? Tell us in the comments.
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