NJ Gay Marriage Ads Premiere

Despite the election defeat for Gov. Jon Corzine, a staunch gay ally, television ads have debuted in New Jersey in anticipation of a vote on same-sex marriage in the legislature before he leaves office in 2010.

The two ads from Garden State Equality urge voters to support the bill that is still expected to be voted on between now and mid January. Corzine has pledged to sign the bill. Chris Christie, who unseated him, opposes marriage equality.

A 60-second ad that premiered Tuesday features Louise and Marsha, a couple from Middlesex County who have been together for 20 years, during which time they accumulated debt related to health insurance costs for their special-needs children. Their debt could have been avoided if they had been allowed to marry.

"I don't know what a marriage is if it's not what we have, and I want that legal recognition," says Louise.

A second, 30-second spot debuting Wednesday features a straight married woman, Emilia, who calls it "absurd, loco" that same-sex couples cannot marry as she can.