Culture

Former Jersey Shore star: New Jersey Governor is ‘a disgrace’ for opposing equal marriage

Oct 02 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Former cast-member of the popular Jersey Shore television series JWoww has called the Governor of the state of New Jersey “retarded” for continuing to fight against equal marriage in the state.

Judge Mary Jacobson on Friday ruled that because the US federal government now recognises same-sex marriage, the state government in New Jersey would violate its constitution by not doing so. She said same-sex marriages should take place from 21 October.

The administration of Governor Chris Christie has appealed the decision at the state Supreme Court, also asking Judge Jacobson to place a stay on equal marriage until the court rules.

Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley said in an interview on Monday with TMZ of Chris Christie: “He’s retarded”. She went on to say: “He’s a disgrace to Jersey, just like we were!”

On Tuesday she took to Twitter to apologise for her use of the word “retarded”, saying: “Caught off guard last night and said things I normally don’t say. I find it disgusting people are still against gay marriage. So because of that I called Chris Christie a name which wasn’t appropriate

“I do find him disgusting and judgmental. I’m for gay equality. So I apologise for my choice of words but I do not apologise for how I feel towards him.”

Governor Christie has been outspoken about the reality TV series Jersey Shore, famously saying in 2010 that the show could create a “negative” reputation for the state.

The US Supreme Court in June struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and ruled that civil unions do not provide the same benefits as marriage.

Christie in June said the opposite, and that the strike-down of DOMA “was wrong”.

Back in February, Democrats in the New Jersey legislature said they would attempt to override Governor Chris Christie’s equal marriage veto from last year, and have now agreed to put the question of marriage equality to voters in November, if they cannot override it.

Alongside Pennsylvania, New Jersey was the only north east state where same-sex marriage is not legal.