Victory: Same-Sex Marriages to Start in New Jersey

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force celebrates the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court not to issue a stay in the decision that allows marriage for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Garden State. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson found last month that a U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring components of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional compelled the state to begin granting marriages licenses to same-sex couples. Jacobson ordered the state to begin issuing licenses on Oct. 21 and last week she reiterated that the deadline remains in effect.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear arguments in January 2014 about whether marriage for same-sex couples should be legalized.

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

“This is a huge victory for New Jersey families. It affirms what millions of people across the country already know — loving, committed same-sex couples and their families should be able to join in the celebration and responsibilities of marriage. It has been a long journey of changing hearts and minds, of breaking down walls, and of shining a spotlight on our common humanity.

“We congratulate Garden State Equality and LAMBDA 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. We won’t stop working until the option of marriage is secure.”