A federal court in New Jersey ruled on Friday the recently signed law barring “ex-gay” sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors in the state is constitutional.

U.S. District Judge Freda Wilson, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, upheld the law signed by Gov. Chris Christie in August on the basis that the law restricts neither speech nor religious freedom.

In the 66-page decision, Wilson writes the arguments presented by plaintiffs are “counter to the longstanding principle that a state generally may enact laws rationally regulating professionals, including those providing medicine and mental health services.”

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Marriage equality rally in Trenton, NJ. (Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)

BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS
Washington Blade

Two Lambertville, N.J., women on Monday became the first same-sex couple to marry in New Jersey. Lambertville City Councilwoman Beth Asaro and Joanne Schailey, who in 2007 became the first same-sex couple to take advantage of New Jersey’s civil unions law, exchanged vows during a brief ceremony that Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio officiated at midnight.

Louise Walpin and Marsha Shapiro of Monmouth Junction, who filed a lawsuit seeking marriage rights in 2011 on which Jacobson ruled, exchanged vows at the home of state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) shortly after midnight. Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) was expected to walk the two women down the aisle. And Steven Goldstein, founder of Garden State Equality, an LGBT rights group, read a Jewish blessing.

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(Photo: Reuters)

BY JESS MOOR
dot429

On October 18 the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled in favor of granting same-sex marriage; New Jersey will become the 14th state to recognize same-sex marriage, in addition to the District of Columbia. It has been officially established that the state must begin to grant marriage licenses to gay couples, beginning Monday, October 21—aligning with Judge Mary Jacobsen’s September ruling.

Last month, Judge Jacobsen of State Superior Court in Mercer County ruled that since the United States federal government recognizes same-sex marriage, the state government in New Jersey would be in violation of the constitution by banning gay marriage. Jacobsen stated that by October 21 same-sex marriages should be legalized.

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(Photo: Mel Evans/The Associated Press)

BY CHRIS JOHNSON
Washington Blade

A New Jersey court ruled on Friday in favor of marriage equality on the basis that the state’s current system of civil unions precludes gay couples from receiving the federal benefits of marriage. In the 53-page decision, Judge Mary Jacobson of the New Jersey Superior Court grants summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs, saying same-sex couples must be able to marry under the equal protection guarantee provided under the state constitution. The ruling cites Lewis v. Harris, an earlier decision that led to the creation of civil unions in New Jersey to bring equality to gay couples.

If the state doesn’t appeal the ruling, the decision states New Jersey has until Oct. 21 to start distributing marriage licenses to gay couples.But according to the Associated Press, Michael Drewniak, a Christie spokesperson, suggested on Friday the governor intends to appeal the ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Monday signed a ban on so-called ex-gay therapy for minors, issuing some interesting comments alongside his eleventh hour approval of the bill.

Said Christie in a statement released to the press:

At the outset of this debate, I expressed my concerns about government limiting parental choice on the care and treatment of their own children. I still have those concerns. Government should tread carefully into this area and I do so here reluctantly,” Christie said.

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