N.J. reacts with shock, tolerance

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - New Jerseyites were left slack-jawed.

First, Gov. James E. McGreevey said he was gay. Then he said he had violated his marriage vows by having an affair with a man. Finally, he said he would step down, 21/2 years into his first term.

"Oh, my God!" gasped Rachel Winokur, a salon employee, who watched the announcement at the Tinder Box, a tobacco shop in Evesham Township.

Former Gov. Brendan Byrne called it "tragic." Some said McGreevey should have agreed to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in 2005.

Others said McGreevey's private life was irrelevant.

"His sexual orientation doesn't matter to me. I feel he's done a good job, holding the line on taxes," said Donald Bowman, 52, of Kearny, a school district worker.

But some felt betrayed.

"I saw a woman on the news say, "Why can't he be a gay governor?' It's because he's not honest. If you can lie to the most intimate people in your life, who would you not lie to?"

Alice Whitman Leeds, a spokeswoman for Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays, said McGreevey's courage should be admired.

"Coming out always takes an incredible amount of bravery; as the parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays, we applaud and appreciate his stand," Leeds said.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright