Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen has come forward as a supporter of the equal marriage bill that could be placed before the New Jersey state Senate Thursday, according to CHARTattack.com.

The bill would make it legal for sexual minorities to marry in New Jersey, and Springsteen updated his website  to let fans know he supports it.

“Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I’ve been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton,” he said in a statement. “I’ve long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor [Jon] Corzine when he writes that, ‘The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is – a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.’ I couldn’t agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now.”

New Jersey, which is Springsteen’s home state, currently recognizes same-sex couples in civil unions, but same-sex marriage is not yet legal there.

Corzine supports the equal marriage bill and said he would sign a bill to legalize same-sex marriage if it passes. However, Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie has said he will reject the bill and campaign for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Christie takes office on Jan. 19.

In December 2008, the New Jersey Union Review Commission found that New Jersey should introduce legislation for same-sex marriage because it said that the state’s civil unions do not adequately protect gay and lesbian couples.

On Monday (Dec. 7), the New Jersey Senate Judicial Committee voted in favour of the marriage equality bill. Today is the earliest day the Senate can vote on the bill.

New York’s state Senate voted on an equal marriage bill last week, but it did not pass.

Currently in the United States, same-sex couples can only marry in Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, and Connecticut. Same-sex marriages will begin in New Hampshire on Jan. 1.






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