Freedom To Marry

"The big news is that only fringe hate-groups are against same-sex marriage, which demonstrates that G. W. Bush is out of touch with mainstream America." --Tom Limoncelli

Gay couple married in Asbury Park, an NJ first

Gay couple married in Asbury Park, an NJ first

By JOHN CURRAN
Associated Press Writer

March 8, 2004, 5:23 PM EST

ASBURY PARK, N.J. -- A gay couple were married in City Hall on Monday after being issued a license by city officials who claim New Jersey law does not explicitly ban such unions.

In a short 3:30 p.m. ceremony attended by about 10 people, Louis Navarrete and Ric Best, both of Asbury Park, tied the knot in City Council chambers.

The two had paid $28 for a marriage license on Friday and waited the requisite 72 hours, according to Laura Jewell, a spokeswoman for City Clerk Dawn Tomek.
( Read the whole story )

Gay Marriage reaches NJ

Today New Jersey took another tremendous step forward in its pursuit of relationship equality for all.  Less than two months after the NJ legislature acknowledged same sex relationships in landmark domestic partnership legislation, the city of Asbury Park has begun issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

It is entirely fitting that the next milestone in this effort comes from the historic shore community of Asbury Park.  Chosen as the center for New Jersey's first statewide annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersexed Pride Parade back in 1992, and continuing in that role this June 6th for NJ's 13th Annual Pride Event, this city has a rich history of support for its gay community.  Home to a bustling gay commercial district and a burgeoning gay neighborhood, many speculate that Asbury Park's recent renaissance has been fueled by its gay community. 

What we witness today is this city giving back to its own.  In granting these licenses, Asbury Park is following the courageous actions taken in San Francisco, New Paltz, NY and other municipalities around the country.   Moreover, it is continuing the relationship equality efforts begun more than two years ago when Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven New Jersey families demanding marriage equality for all NJ citizens.  That lawsuit is currently working its way through the state's court system.  The eventual outcome of this lawsuit will hopefully extend the option of marriage to all New Jersey's gay and lesbian couples.

On behalf of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition (NJLGC), I commend the city of Asbury Park, the brave couples who sought these licenses from the city, and all the people around the state working diligently to secure relationship equality for all.

Laura Pople
President, NJLGC

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For the past thirty years, the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, a non-profit organization, has been committed to: 1)  Fighting discrimination based on sexual/affectional orientation or gender identification and expression; and 2) Enhancing the quality of lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual ,transgendered, and intersexed people in New Jersey through public advocacy,  education,  political action, and legal reform.  The coalition includes among its member groups AIDS Benefit Committee of New Jersey; Alice Paul NOW South Jersey; ACLU; BiZone; GABLES of Cape May County; Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County; Gender Rights Advocacy Group of New Jersey; Human Rights Campaign, Greater New York Steering Committee; Hyacinth AIDS Foundation; Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach; Jersey Pride, Inc.; Lambda Families of New Jersey; Log Cabin Republicans; The Names Project, Central Jersey Chapter; New Jersey Stonewall Democrats; PFLAG of Bergen County; Pride Center of New Jersey; and Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association.