McGreevey urges
New Jersey lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage

Now that the ball is in their court, New Jersey legislators need to approve a marriage law for the state's gays and lesbians, former New Jersey governor James McGreevey told WNBC on Monday. "I hope the legislature and the government does what's right and embraces the idea of marriage for two loving and committed individuals," McGreevey told WNBC's Brian Thompson. "I think there's a generosity of spirit, and also in polls New Jersey [residents] have embraced gay marriage."

New Jersey's supreme court opened the door to same-sex marriage last week, ruling that gay couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexuals but leaving it to lawmakers to authorize same-sex unions.

Two years ago, McGreevey came out as gay and admitted to having an affair with a state employee before resigning as New Jersey's governor. He said he thinks the people of New Jersey are ready for a same-sex marriage law. "New Jersey is very generous in spirit, and I remember when I came out, people embraced me," McGreevey told WNBC.

The high court gave lawmakers 180 days to rewrite marriage laws to either include same-sex couples or create a new system of civil unions for them. (The Advocate)