“The marriages of loving, committed couples throughout the Garden State, combined with Governor Christie’s withdrawal of his appeal, is joyous news to New Jerseyans, both gay and non-gay. The momentum continues to build nationwide and we are working hard to deliver victories in Hawaii, Illinois and New Mexico yet in 2013,” he said.
New Jersey marks the 14th state plus the District of Columbia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Garden State couples began getting legally married at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
“It’s done – New Jersey is the 14th state with the freedom to marry, and same-sex couples and their families can celebrate without fear that their rights and dignity will be taken away,” said Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director for Lambda Legal, in a statement.
“The New Jersey Supreme Court made clear on Friday that same-sex couples were being denied equality, and the State has now – finally – chosen to stop standing in the way of love and fairness. What a joyous day!” Gorenberg added.
New Jersey passed civil unions in 2006. The state legislature passed a law in February 2012 to legalize same-sex marriage but Gov. Christie, a potential Republican candidate for president, vetoed it.