Gay-marriage advocates push for legislation

By AP from the Home News Tribune on the Web, April 17, 2004

WESTFIELD, NJ -- Proponents of same-sex marriage want New Jerseyans to push for legislation that would make it legal.

A standing-room-only crowd came out Thursday night to show their support and hear from several people involved in the cause, including Jayson West, the New Paltz, N.Y., mayor who performed weddings for 25 same-sex couples in February and now faces misdemeanor charges for officiating.

"This meeting is important because we need to make sure that issues stay in the forefront," West told a crowd of about 600 at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield. "It's important to keep pushing for (the legislation)."

Other speakers included Louis Navarrete, 42, and Ric Best, 44, the two men who were married in Asbury Park last month after city officials granted them a marriage license, and seven same-sex couples who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking recognition of gay marriages in New Jersey.

In January, New Jersey joined Massachusetts, Vermont, California and Hawaii in recognizing civil unions.

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