A Sad Day in New Jersey

The New Jersey state supreme court, by a 4-3 decision, allowed gay couples to have the same rights as married couples within that state. However, they did not say that gay couples could be “married” or use the word “marriage” within the state.

This is still a sad day. If they are allowing the same rights, it will not be long before they are allowed to use the word.

To read a rather lengthy but well-written article from North Jersey online, click here.

The article concludes with a short timeline of recent events in the movement to legalize homosexual marriage. Here is that timeline:

1993: Hawaiian Supreme Court says denying gays and lesbians the right to marry appears to be discriminatory. The ruling gave birth to the same-sex marriage movement.

1996: President Bill Clinton signs law defining marriage as union between a man and a woman.

1998: Hawaii constitution is amended to prohibit marriage by same-sex couples.

1998: Alaska court rules same-sex couples have constitutional right to marry, prompting voters to amend constitution.

1999: Vermont Supreme Court rules same-sex couples are entitled to same rights as heterosexual, married couples.

2000: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean signs civil union bill, making Vermont the first state to legally recognize same-sex couples.

2002: Seven same-sex couples in New Jersey sue after being denied marriage licenses.

2003: New Jersey’s Superior Court rules it’s the Legislature’s role to decide if gays and lesbians can marry.

2003: Massachusetts’ highest court rules that the state constitution mandates marriage — not civil unions — for same-sex couples.

2004: President Bush endorses amending U.S. Constitution to prohibit marriage between same- sex couples. Senate refuses.

2004: A gay couple in Asbury Park is married by the deputy mayor in March. Within hours, Attorney General Peter Harvey declares the marriage invalid. In July, hundreds of New Jersey couples register as domestic partners on the first day they are able to do so.

2005: New Jersey appellate court rules that allowing gays and lesbians to marry would irreparably harm society.

2005: The California Legislature passes bill legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, but Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kills the bill. The state expands its domestic partnership bill to nearly mirror marriage.

2005: Connecticut Legislature becomes first state to voluntarily issue civil union
licenses to same-sex couples, extending all state rights of marriage.

June 2006: An attempt to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict marriage to one man, one woman fails in both houses.

July 2006: New York’s highest court refuses to overturn the state’s exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. The top court in Washington state reaches a similar conclusion.