N.J. Governor Signs Gay Civil Unions Law

[Sapphire Blue]

N.J. Governor Signs Gay Civil Unions Law
By TOM HESTER Jr.
The Associated Press
Thursday, December 21, 2006; 2:07 PM

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey's governor signed legislation Thursday giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage allowed under state law _ but not the title.

When the law goes into effect Feb. 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," Gov. Jon S. Corzine said in signing the legislation.

Continued @ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/21/AR2006122100155.html

[closeupready]

1. There goes 2008.

:mad: :sarcasm:

[ThomCat]

2. Ha!

Yes, all of us who are GLBT have finally succeeded in handing total control of the US government to the radical right! :P

[closeupready]

3. (We're so sly, how we accomplish all these

subversive agendas, aren't we?? :D - when we aren't destroying Western Civilization, we're handing the government to Republicans, ha, ha, ha. :D )

[JackBeck]

4. It's not marriage equality, but it is a step in the right direction.

I'm proud of my home state and will continue to fight for marriage equality.

[ThomCat]

5. Exactly! It's not enough, but it's a step forward.

[William769]

6. I guess baby steps are better than no steps.

[Pab Sungenis]

7. The real test of equality is the procedure.

In Jersey, you need a witness, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and proof of residence. To get the old flavor of civil union you needed all that PLUS a slew of other stuff like deeds, joint bank accounts, wills, a notary, a letter from your mom saying it was OK to go out and play, and so on.

It won't be equality-in-all-but-name until we can go to the City Clerk with the same materials as a straight couple, plunk down $28.00, and be married three days later. Any extra hoops prove that "separate but equal" isn't equal at all.

[JackBeck]

8. When we moved to New Jersey a few months ago

we immediately registered as Domestic Partners. We're also Domestic Partners in New York City and flew to San Francisco to get married during the gay marriage frenzy. Each time, we had to pay for our licenses. In fact, we noticed that when we registered in New Jersey, the DP license was MORE expensive than a marriage license.

I didn't know that about having to show all that other stuff. Bummer.