New Jersey edges one step closer.....
Sep. 28th, 2013 12:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
osodecanelaMarriage equality will come to New Jersey one way or another.
In 2006, the state Supreme Court ruled that same gender couple had to be treated equally under the law, but it stopped short of mandating marriage rights. The legislative solution to that was to grant civil partnerships with all the state granted rights of marriage, with out actually calling it marriage. However, the SCOTUS decision overturning the third section of DOMA made it not so equal, now that same sex married couples in the 13 marriage equality states (+ DC & 1/2 a dozen Indian nations) are recognized federally as well, with all the rights, responsibilities and protections that come to all other married couples.
Things edged forward today when a Superior Court judge ruled that the state, in order to be in line with the 2006 ruling, must start granting marriage licenses to same sex couples no later than Oct. 21st.
The Christie administration either appeals this to the NJ Supreme Court, where they will lose, given the 2006 ruling, or they comply.
The legislature could also make this all moot, if they override Christie's veto of their bill allowing marriage equality from last year. They technically have until the end of the year to do that. For this they needed another 12 votes in their House and 3 in their Senate. Three House reps have already announced their support including 2 Republicans. The Superior Court ruling today might be the impetus their legislature needs to do so.
With recent polls showing support in NJ 64% in favor of marriage equality, the handwriting is on the wall. The only question is how soon.
Could be October 21st.
In 2006, the state Supreme Court ruled that same gender couple had to be treated equally under the law, but it stopped short of mandating marriage rights. The legislative solution to that was to grant civil partnerships with all the state granted rights of marriage, with out actually calling it marriage. However, the SCOTUS decision overturning the third section of DOMA made it not so equal, now that same sex married couples in the 13 marriage equality states (+ DC & 1/2 a dozen Indian nations) are recognized federally as well, with all the rights, responsibilities and protections that come to all other married couples.
Things edged forward today when a Superior Court judge ruled that the state, in order to be in line with the 2006 ruling, must start granting marriage licenses to same sex couples no later than Oct. 21st.
The Christie administration either appeals this to the NJ Supreme Court, where they will lose, given the 2006 ruling, or they comply.
The legislature could also make this all moot, if they override Christie's veto of their bill allowing marriage equality from last year. They technically have until the end of the year to do that. For this they needed another 12 votes in their House and 3 in their Senate. Three House reps have already announced their support including 2 Republicans. The Superior Court ruling today might be the impetus their legislature needs to do so.
With recent polls showing support in NJ 64% in favor of marriage equality, the handwriting is on the wall. The only question is how soon.
Could be October 21st.
