Max Eternity - Following in the footsteps of civil rights icons, Coretta Scott King and Julian Bond, both of whom affirmed that "gay rights are civil rights", rock and roll legend Bruce Springteen has joined in the call for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Quoting the words of Springsteen from the official Bruce Springsteen website, he says:

"Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. 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."

What follows is a video of a speech that then President of the NAACP, Julian Bond, gave at a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) gathering earlier this year, and a report on Springsteen's announcement from The Huffington Post

The Huffington Post - "The Boss" is backing gay marriage in the Garden State. Bruce Springsteen posted a statement on his Web site urging support of the gay marriage bill that's up for a vote in New Jersey's Senate on Thursday. Springsteen wrote that he's long believed in and has "always spoken out for the rights of same-sex couples." Read more.