New Jersey voter confronts Gov. Christie on marriage equality

On a recent campaign stop at the Edison Diner in New Jersey, one of the voters in attendance, Bert Bueno, brought up the issue of marriage equality and asked why Gov. Christie opposed the legislation:

"How come you're in opposition?" Bueno, a straight woman, asked the Republican leader.

"Listen: Lots of different people have different views on this," Christie responded. "I think marriage should be between a man and a woman. … My view is: If you want to change it, put it on the ballot. Let everybody decide. It shouldn't be decided by courts. It shouldn't be decided by politicians in Trenton. It should be decided by everybody. If the majority of the people of New Jersey want same-sex marriage, I'll enforce the law."

In a four-minute exchange, Christie claimed that he has gay friends and relatives, and he contested Bueno’s stance that marriage equality is “a human rights issue.”

"The fact is: We've been very supportive of a lot of other things, like banning gay conversion therapy,” said Christie, who signed a bill last month that banned use of the discredited practice on minors. “This is an issue where we have an honest difference of opinion. OK, so you put it on the ballot — you vote your way, I vote my way. And whoever gets the most votes wins."

A recent poll found that 62% of registered New Jersey voters support the September 27 decision of Superior Court judge Mary Jacobson to legalize same-sex marriage, which would go into effect October 21, barring any delays or appeals on the Governor's behalf.

(via Advocate)