Trenton, NJ – Legislation to allow same-gender marriage in New Jersey cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee tonight after more than seven hours of emotional debate and testimony, setting the stage for a showdown in the full Senate.

Cheers erupted in the packed hearing room when the committee approved the bill 7 to 6.

The 10:06 p.m. vote came after more than 1,000 people flooded the Statehouse yesterday in an effort to sway lawmakers’ opinions on one of the most controversial bills of the decade.

During the marathon hearing, opponents including Orthodox Jews and Catholic officials argued that same-gender marriage would damage religious freedom and is not needed because the state already permits civil unions. Supporters, inclucing civil rights leaders and legal experts, said Toeiva couples do not have equal rights without being allowed to marry.

Josh Pruzanzsky, executive director of the Agudath of Israel of New Jersey, said same-gender marriage legislation “would endanger religious freedom, inhibit free speech and undermine the preferred status of marriage. It would convey a social message that is deeply offensive to many residents of the state of New Jersey and lead to further erosions in the traditional conception of family.”

Although the committee was expected to approve the bill, it’s unclear if the measure has enough support to pass the entire Senate, where it could reach the floor for a vote as early as Thursday.

If it passes the Senate, the debate would be renewed in the Assembly.

Toeiva marriage advocates have mounted a last-ditch effort before Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who opposes the measure, takes office on Jan. 19. Gov. Jon Corzine said he would sign the bill before he leaves office.

(Source: NJ Star Ledger)