What's next for New Jersey?

The New Jersey Senate on Thursday, Jan. 7, voted down "The Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act," the bill that -- if signed by Gov. John Corzine -- would have made the Garden State the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

After hours of debate, the Senate saw an end vote of 20 against, and 14 for. There were 4 abstentions and 2 senators absent.

The stress of the debate was impacted by the looming inauguration of Governor-Elect Chris Christie, who has repeatedly indicated that he does not intend to legalize marriage equality during his term. Current Gov. Corzine was widely expected to sign the bill, if it had passed.

Garden State Equality, the grassroots organization fighting for same-sex marriage in the state, aims to continue the fight. "With today's vote in the state Senate, the New Jersey legislature defaulted on its constitutional obligation to provide same-sex couples in New Jersey equal protection," Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein said at the post-Senate vote news conference.

Partnering with Lambda Legal, Goldstein and his organization plan to bring marriage equality to New Jersey this year. "Though we didn't achieve our final victory today, we're better positioned than we were a few months ago to win marriage equality. So if you're wondering how we feel, it's complicated," he said. "On the one hand, we resent, more than you can imagine, remaining second-class citizens a bit longer. On the other hand, the ball has moved forward. The public record for the courts is mighty, and we're closer than ever to winning."

Prior to the vote, the Senate heard remarks from Senator Sandra Cunningham (D). A descendant of African American slaves, Cunningham detailed America's "history of inequity for black people" and said, "I cannot in good conscience not support anyone's fight...to have a kind of life that we all want to have.

"All of us have a right to dignity, a right to love, and a right to respect."

Unfortunately for Garden State Equality, Cunningham's opinion was not shared by many involved in the debate. "I heard nothing that cannot be fixed about the problems presented to us for folks in civil union relationships," New Jersey State Senator Gerald Cardinale (R) said during his remarks. He was referring to testimony from LGBT Garden Staters that had been heard before the group -- testimony that had brought a few senators and members of the audience to tears.

Referring to marriage equality as an act of "violence to marriage," Cardinale warned that his is "not an isolated opinion." The Senator went on to warn that legalized polygamy will follow the legalization of same-sex marriage. Cardinale's remarks were applauded by the audience.

"There is enormous, heartbreaking evidence that civil unions are not equal to marriage, and we will be going back to the courts in New Jersey to fight for equality," Lambda Legal executive director Kevin Cathcart said in a public statement announcing the organization's intent to pursue marriage equality. "Too many families are at risk. We cannot wait any longer."