Today Judge Mary Jacobson of the Mercer County Superior Court ruled that given the recent Windsor Supreme Court decision granting federal recognition to gay couples, New Jersey’s system of civil unions are inherently unequal and that lesbian and gay couples in that state are entitled to full marriage equality. If the state does not appeal the ruling, marriages will be able to begin Oct. 21.
“The equality demanded by Lewis v. Harris now requires that same-sex couples in New Jersey be allowed to marry,” the decision states. “As a result, this court will grant plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and will order the state to permit any and all same-sex couples, who otherwise satisfy the requirements for civil marriage, to marry in New Jersey.”
“Civil unions are separate and unequal, particularly in light of this year’s historic Supreme Court term,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin. “There are no rational arguments why couples in New Jersey should be relegated to second class status. State officials should not appeal this sound decision and no longer stand in the way of loving couples being able to make a lifelong commitment with full state and federal recognition.”
The decision means that New Jersey will become the 14th state in the country to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples.
