Jersey Gays Closer To Spousal Privilege Rights

As briefly noted yesterday, New Jersey’s high court ruled yesterday that the state could not restrict the rights of two same-sex people to enter into a binding legal contract equal to that of marriage between a man and a woman. In short, gays can marry but the state doesn’t have to call it “marriage.”

The state legislature in Jerz now has 180 days to either pass a gay marriage law or a gay civil unions law. Not sure exactly what the difference is, but surely people on both sides will be tremendously up in arms over it for the next 180 days. (And probably even longer.)

Of course, since the ruling came so close to the November 7 elections, observers are wondering if it could effect them. Will Bunch, writing in the Daily News, says that “[m]any experts were surprised that the court, which has a 4-3 Republican majority, ruled on the political hot potato right before the Nov. 7 election.”

So the pro-gay rights court ruling is most certainly a Republican plot, right? Not so fast, says some asshole. League of American Families director John Tomicki is pissed!

“That’s our history. That’s our tradition. That’s what the law is in an overwhelming majority of this country and this court has decided in their judicial arrogance to go ahead and legislate from the bench.”

Oh no, our tradition will surely be ruined by lesbians getting hospital visitation rights with their partners! Our tradition of gaybashing is surely ruined!

Small step down the aisle [Daily News]
NJ Gay Marriage Ruling Could Impact Elections [KYW 1060]
Gay Marriage Opponents Angry Over NJ Ruling [KYW 1060]