In September 2013, Judge Mary Jacobson ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marriage is unconstitutional and ruled in favor of approving same-sex marriage in the state of New Jersey beginning October 21, 2013.
This ruling ends a court battle in which 6 same-sex couples in civil unions brought suit against the state of New Jersey alleging they were being denied the same legal protections as same sex couples in civil marriages.
The State of New Jersey appealed this decision to the supreme court of New Jersey filing for a “stay” in order to stop the October 21’st order permitting same-sex marriage from going into effect in order the let the battle “play out”. However, after the Supreme Court denied the states application for stay, pending appeal, finding that the State of New Jersey had failed to prove it would supper irreparable harm if the lower court order were not stayed. The Supreme Court further stated, “…the State’s domestic partnership laws failed to bridge the inequality gap”. Since it became clear by the courts ruling that the State of New Jersey would not likely prevail on appeal, Governor CC withdrew the States appeal on Monday, October 21st, making the lower court ruling final if no other appeal is taken.
This is the first time in history, since the Supreme Court ruled DOMA as being unconstitutional, that the court system in a state made a court ruling on same-sex marriage instead of the state’s Political leaders.
Sunday night, at one minute past 12am, the first same-sex couples were legally married at the Newark Court House and were officiated by Senator-elect Corey A. Booker.
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