Bruce Springsteen Supports Gay Marriage

Bruce Springsteen has come out as a supporter of the equal marriage bill that could be put before the New Jersey state Senate on Thursday (Dec. 10).

The bill would make it legal for sexual minorities to marry in New Jersey, and The Boss updated his website on Wednesday (Dec. 9) 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 the 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 legal there.

Corzine supports the equal marriage bill and said he would sign a bill to legalize same-sex marriage if it passes. But Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie has said he will veto the bill and campaign for a constitutional amendment to ban equal marriage. Christie takes office 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 the state's civil unions do not adequately protect queer couples.

The New Jersey Senative Judicial Committee voted in favour of the marriage equality bill on Monday (Dec. 7) and Thursday is the earliest the state Senate can vote on it.

New York's state Senate also voted on an equal marriage bill last week, but it failed to pass.

Same-sex couples can marry in Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa and Connecticut. Same-sex marriages will begin in New Hampshire on Jan. 1.