At 3pm today the NJ Supreme Court will announce their decision on whether or not same-sex marriage will be legally recognized in New Jersey. It’s something I’ve been working on (on and off) for 15 years.
They might decide that the constitution requires it (i.e. in brief: the constitution says that the Law Against Discrimination must be upheld in all areas; the LAD was modified to include glbt in 1991; therefore glbt people can’t be discriminated against in marriage). If this happens, we’ll need to codify this decision in the legislature (i.e. pass a law legalizing it so that there is no confusion or need for further interpretation by the courts).
They might decide that the constitution doesn’t require it. If this happens there will be a push to codify this decision in the legislature (i.e. pass a law clearly stating that it is illegal, which is a no-op since that was the status quo), plus another push to legalize same-sex marriage since all other avenues have been exhausted.
They might “do a Vermont” and decide that same-sex relationships have to be recognized but that it doesn’t have to be called “marriage” and the legislature has x months to pass a law creating something that is seperate but equal.
Either way, this is going to be a rocky next couple of months!
I’ll be updating The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition’s web site right at 3pm. As luck would have it, I’m teaching a class at 4-5pm today so no updates during that time.
They might decide that the constitution requires it (i.e. in brief: the constitution says that the Law Against Discrimination must be upheld in all areas; the LAD was modified to include glbt in 1991; therefore glbt people can’t be discriminated against in marriage). If this happens, we’ll need to codify this decision in the legislature (i.e. pass a law legalizing it so that there is no confusion or need for further interpretation by the courts).
They might decide that the constitution doesn’t require it. If this happens there will be a push to codify this decision in the legislature (i.e. pass a law clearly stating that it is illegal, which is a no-op since that was the status quo), plus another push to legalize same-sex marriage since all other avenues have been exhausted.
They might “do a Vermont” and decide that same-sex relationships have to be recognized but that it doesn’t have to be called “marriage” and the legislature has x months to pass a law creating something that is seperate but equal.
Either way, this is going to be a rocky next couple of months!
I’ll be updating The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition’s web site right at 3pm. As luck would have it, I’m teaching a class at 4-5pm today so no updates during that time.
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Date: 2006-10-25 11:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 01:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 01:32 pm (UTC)I can't wait until we're all nostalgaic about this particular civil rights issue, the way we are now about Rosa Parks.
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Date: 2006-10-25 02:24 pm (UTC)Here's hoping you get to talk about it with a big ol' grin on your face.
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Date: 2006-10-25 03:05 pm (UTC)Status update report: Cambridge City Hall still not struck by lightning. 891 days and counting.
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Date: 2006-10-25 03:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 07:17 pm (UTC)90 pages!!
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/a-68-05.pdf
is it a yes or no??
Help!
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Date: 2006-10-25 07:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 07:24 pm (UTC)*kiss and hug*
that's not too bad then. not the best, but not the worst.
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Date: 2006-10-25 07:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 07:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 07:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-25 07:47 pm (UTC)