Freedom to Marry Urgent News Alert| October 25, 2006 |

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A Statement from Evan Wolfson About Today’s Historic Victory in the New Jersey Supreme Court

Dear friends —

Today's unanimous NJ Supreme Court ruling is a recognition of the equal needs and common humanity of committed same-sex couples and their kids. The Court said these American families are entitled to equal rights and responsibilities under the law. As the legislature moves now to implement the constitution's command of equality, we are confident that legislators will see that the right way to end discrimination in marriage is, indeed, to end discrimination in marriage, not repackage it. The easiest next step is not to cobble together a separate new system with two lines at the clerks' office, but rather, to end the exclusion from marriage itself with two simple words, "I do."

— Evan Wolfson

This unanimous ruling opens the door to marriage in New Jersey

The unanimous decision of the NJ High Court requires equal treatment for gay and lesbian couples and their families. Four justices said gay and lesbian couples must be given all the rights and protections of marriage. Three, including retiring Chief Justice Poritz and new Chief Justice Zazzali, would have ended the exclusion from marriage immediately. It is now up to the legislature to finish the job. Read the full decision HERE.

Speaking the Language of Marriage

It's important for us to be unwavering in our celebration of this victorious ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court calling for an end to discrimination against lesbian and gay couples and their families.

  • The decision to end discrimination was UNANIMOUS. Three justices voted to end marriage discrimination immediately, four said that gay and lesbian couples must be given all the rights and protections and that the legislature should, and will, have the opportunity to decide how to make that happen.

  • This is not about civil unions, we are not fighting for two lines at the clerk’s office or separate, second class status. The only way to have a system equal to marriage is to end the exclusion of lesbian and gay couples from marriage. Period.

  • The decision did not say we could not marry or in any way deny marriage. This is the victory we’ve been waiting for – now it’s up to the legislature to finish the job.

  • As we are regularly reminded during this election season, it is the states that have the right to regulate civil marriage rights in the U.S. This season the voters in several states will be making decisions about this issue through different means, including at the ballot box. However, equality should not be put up to a vote. It is important to differentiate between the will of the people and the rights of the people.

  • As we move into the currently election cycle, it is important for American voters to ask themselves if their desire for honesty and integrity in their elected officials, access to healthcare and a decent education, and protecting our freedoms is really more important than stamping discrimination and exclusion into their state constitutions.

  • Although the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court to end the exclusion of lesbian and gay couples from marriage does not extend beyond New Jersey's borders, as people get a chance to see these married couples, they will realize that the commitment of these families is worthy of respect and fair treatment under the law.

  • While not every state will immediately recognize the rights of those couples legally married in New Jersey, we hope that the committed, gay and lesbian couples who marry in New Jersey will be embraced by their families, their neighbors and their communities, and met with respect and equality when they return home.

    New Jersey's Decision Affects Real Families

    Together 30 years, Carmen and Anisia Machado eagerly await New Jersey's Supreme Court marriage decision. "We were next door neighbors since grade school, we always liked each other and got along," says Carmen of their meeting. "Our parents and families tried to keep us apart but somehow we survived it all. When we got out of school we moved in together."

    Click HERE to read the rest of their story.

    Stephanie Furness and Shannon Kearns, who were recently wed in Canada, may soon have the opportunity to again formalize their commitment to each other in their home state of New Jersey. Several legal scholars and political insiders expect the court — known to be among the more progressive in the country on social issues and individual rights &mdash to find that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in the state.

    Click HERE to read the rest of their story.

    The Latest News

    For the latest news, opinions, and polls, including these articles, check out our website.

    NJ court sends marriage issue to lawmakers
    Reuters
    October 25, 2006
    Saying that times have changed, New Jersey's highest court on Wednesday guaranteed gay couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples but left it to state lawmakers to do the right thing.

    268 key NJ leaders endorse 100 percent marriage equality bill
    October 25, 2006
    Today, immediately upon the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision in favor of marriage equality, Garden State Equality released the following communique from 268 key New Jersey leaders addressed to Governor Corzine and members of the New Jersey Legislature. For further information, contact Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, cell (917) 449-8918, Goldstein@GardenStateEquality.org

    NJ Court backs gay and lesbian unions
    New York Times
    October 25, 2006
    The court's eagerly awaited decision found that an arrangement similar to that of Vermont, which authorizes civil unions between same-sex couples but does not call them marriages, would be consitutional in New Jersey under the equal protection guarantees. The court gave the legislature a six-month deadline to enact the necessary legislation to provide for same-sex unions.