New Jersey Governor Signs Same-Sex Unions Bill Into Law
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TRENTON, N.J.— New Jersey’s governor signed legislation yesterday giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage allowed under state law — but not the title.
When the law goes into effect February 19, New Jersey will become the third state offering civil unions to gay couples and the fifth allowing gay couples some version of marriage.
Connecticut and Vermont also offer civil unions for gay couples, while Massachusetts allows gay couples to marry, and California has domestic partnerships that bring full marriage rights under state law.
“We must recognize that many gay and lesbian couples in New Jersey are in committed relationships and deserve the same benefits and rights as every other family in this state,” Governor Corzine said in signing the legislation.
The legislature passed the civil unions bill December 14 in response to a state Supreme Court order that gay couples be granted the same rights as married couples. The court in October gave lawmakers six months to act but left it to them to decide whether to call the unions “marriage” or something else.