Bruce Springsteen - Springsteen Backs Gay Marriage

Veteran rocker BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN is urging his fans to support a controversial bill to legalise gay marriage in his native New Jersey.

The Born To Run hitmaker recently posted a statement on his website, backing a gay marriage bill that's up for a vote in the state's Senate on Thursday (10Dec09).

The hitmaker wrote, "I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor 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."

A state Senate committee approved the bill by one vote on Monday (07Dec09), although Democrat supporters concede the it may fall short of the 21 votes needed to pass on Thursday.