New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie drops marriage equality appeal

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced today that his administration will drop its legal challenge to allowing marriage for same-sex couples in the state. Same-sex couples began marrying in the Garden State at 12:01 a.m. this morning.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Governor Christie, by his actions, seems to have come to the conclusion that so many others have already: that it is simply the right thing to do to ensure that all loving and committed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples have the option of marriage. We celebrate with the couples that have already married in the first hours of this decision taking effect and we look forward to the thousands more.

We congratulate Garden State Equality and LAMDA Legal on their efforts to deliver the freedom to marry in New Jersey and we are proud to continue to partner with them in this struggle.