At the time, I thought to myself, “This is because I’m quoting people known to be LGBT friendly or have a personal stake in the issue like Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, Elton John and Ellen DeGeneres. I wish Bruce Springsteen had weighed in on this. That would stop the griping.”

Well, it turns out wishes do come true sometimes.

This morning, The Boss felt the need to take to his Web site to speak briefly about the issue of marriage-equality and the discussion going on in New Jersey. And since the first thing in my email box this morning was a press release from his publicist (sent at 7:31 a.m. PST), I’m guessing he wants as many people as possible to know how he feels about the subject.

So without further ado, here’s Bruce:

“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.”

On behalf of gay and lesbian couples across the country who unfortunately often feel like second class citizens when it comes to our place in American society and are simply asking to be afforded exactly – not similar, not almost the same, not a few measly concessions to shut us up, but exactly – the same rights and protections provided to any other married couple in the U.S., I would like to say thank you.

I realize that you have a very broad fan-base that no doubt includes people who will fight marriage-equality to the end. And that means that you’ve just angered some of them and more than likely cost yourself the most precious commodity an artist possesses – fans. I appreciate that sacrifice.

By the same token, I’d like to think that the simple act you took the time to carry out today will make some fans, and maybe even a few politicians, who’ve been opposed to marriage-equality stop for just a moment and think, “Gee, if The Boss thinks this is a good thing, maybe I should reconsider.”

“Working on a Dream” indeed.