The 42-33 vote sends the bill to the desk of N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, who is expected to veto the measure. The Republican governor had promised "very swift action" if the bill passed both houses of the legislature. The Senate approved the bill Feb. 13.

"Today, the Legislature has brought us to the promised land," said Steven Goldstein, chairman of the gay rights group Garden State Equality. "We know the governor won't let us enter, but we finally behold the view of our dreams and we will never turn back."