TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- More than 200 prominent New Jersey Democrats asked the state Legislature Tuesday to legalize gay marriage during the lame-duck session.
Signers of a letter to lawmakers included Newark Mayor Cory Booker, one of the state's most prominent black Democrats, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. Other officeholders, fundraisers and campaign workers also added their names.
"We appreciate that this is a difficult issue for some state legislators. But marriage equality is an idea whose time has come," the letter said. "We are confident that the voters will stand by those elected officials who do the right thing."
Gov. Jon Corzine, who lost the November election, would probably sign a bill legalizing gay marriage, while Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie would not.
The state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 several years ago that New Jersey must legalize civil unions. The minority, led by then-Chief Justice Deborah Poritz, wanted to legalize gay marriage.
Catholic bishops urged parish priests last week to ask members of their congregations to pray the state will not allow gays to marry. The bishops' letter called gay marriage a serious threat to traditional heterosexual marriage.
