Gay persons in every state that forbids the issuance of a marriage license to them must go with my support to court, if needed the Supreme Court, to challenge the state’s “compelling interest” for denying them a marriage license.
Regrettably this issue is clouded by the expression “gay marriage”. We are not dealing with marriage but with governments discriminating by refusing to issue a marriage license. Yes, governments are justified to discriminate. After all they do not issue a driver license to a 3 year old. However, in every case a government must produce a “compelling interest” to do so.
This example also shows the gigantic idiocy of allowing voters to have a say on discrimination by a government. What if they vote that a 12-year old should be allowed to drive a car?
Name me one “compelling interest” to deny a marriage license which does not run foul of the government promoting an establishment of religion.
I am always amused when opponents claim that marriage is between one man and one woman. Marriage everywhere has always started out as between one man and many women! Offshoots of the Mormons still maintain that this is ordered by God.
The protection of children and women is indeed a “compelling interest” to forbid polygamy. Almost everybody understands that. A fast growing proportion of our population does not understand how denying marriage licenses to gay couples protects them.

A great of example of why we are sinking as a nation. We don’t really believe in freedom, we believe in fear.

Speaking as a person born in raised in the Garden State, I am disgusted by this
cowardice on a grand scale.  But are we really surprised?  Have we seen much
courage from the feckless Dems lately? 

NJ Senators, the GLBT community helped you pussies get elected, and you sold
them out for mere convenience.  Now go pick up your checks from your pimps on
the Christian right.  Jason is right, and civil rights will win out eventually, and then
karma is going to bite you on the ass big time.  Bada bing!