The debate over same sex marriage heated up in the Garden State this week with both houses of the Legislature passing a marriage equality bill that Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to veto. Republican Sen. Gerald Cardinale, who represents District 39 in Bergen County, said he believes the veto is the right move and that marriage should remain between a man and a woman. He spoke with NJToday Managing Editor Mike Schneider about the topic.

Cardinale opposes same sex marriage, saying the practice has been defined by people of two different genders for thousands of years in different cultures throughout the world. He referred to same sex marriage as a “pandora’s box,” worrying about what could happen to society.

“Suppose everyone decided that they were going to marry someone of the same sex,” Cardinale said. “What happens to civilization?”

Cardinale said he doesn’t believe gay marriage is a civil rights issue. He said lawmakers have passed laws to give equal rights to same sex couples, but he prefers the term domestic partnership to civil union, saying it would be less confusing for hospital personnel. Cardinale also said he would like domestic partnerships to apply to individuals without sexual relationships as well. As an example, he said if two brothers decided to live together, they should be able to have the same advantages of those who are unrelated.

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