New Jersey on its Way to Gay Marriage

By Thomas Paone

Before the midterm elections, the state of New Jersey passed a measure that may forever change our country. Although many states voted to ban gay marriage during the recent elections, New Jersey’s highest court on October 25 paved the way for lawmakers to legalize gay marriage, making it only the second state in the United States to do so.
The court, in a 4-3 decision, decided that homosexual couples are entitled the same rights at heterosexual couples, and gave lawmakers 180 days to grant marriage or an equivalent alternative, such as civil unions. Many gay rights activists have seen New Jersey as an ideal location for such legislation since it is one of only five states that does not explicitly ban gay marriage within the state constitution. The state also passed legislation in 2004 that made domestic partnerships legal, also lending support for gay marriage advocates. The New Jersey legislature must now decide how to handle the issue. Governor Jon Corzine has stated that he supports domestic partnerships, but not gay marriage. Although the issue is not settled, historic steps have certainly been made.