NJ 'Marriage Equality' Now Law; Gov. Murphy Signs What Christie Vetoed

NEW JERSEY — The right to “marriage equality” has already been successfully defended in New Jersey’s courts. But now it’s officially on the books when it comes to state law, too.

Earlier this week, Gov. Phil Murphy signed S3416 into law. The bill codifies marriage equality in New Jersey law by providing that all laws concerning marriage and civil union are to be read with “gender neutral intent.”

The signing marked the end of a long fight for advocates, who have continued the push for a state marriage equality law after former Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed a 2012 bill.

“Despite the progress we have made as a country, there is still much work to be done to protect the LGBTQ+ community from intolerance and injustice,” Murphy said.

“New Jersey is stronger and fairer when every member of our LGBTQ+ family is valued and given equal protection under the law,” Murphy added.

According to a statement from Murphy’s office, the law ensures that the right to same-sex marriage will continue to exist in New Jersey, even if state and federal court precedents are overturned.

The governor’s office said the legislation brings New Jersey statutory law into conformance with the 2013 decision in Garden State Equality v. Dow, as well as the 2015 United Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right and that all states must allow couples who identify with the same gender to marry.

For Marsha Shapiro and Louise Walpin – one of the first same-sex couples to marry in New Jersey – it was a watershed moment … but it came more than a decade too late.

“Twelve years ago, the Senate failed to pass marriage equality and then Senate President Dick Codey predicted that one day they would all look back and say, ‘what were we thinking?’” Shapiro and Walpin said in a joint statement.

“As one of the first couples to be married when marriage equality was established, our gratitude goes to all who saw this as a civil rights issue then and continued the fight to bring us to this day,” they said, adding that the law “codifies the right for all New Jerseyans to marry the one they love into law.”

Thomas Prol, a founding Garden State Equality executive committee member, said securing marriage equality in New Jersey for committed same-sex couples and their families has been a labor of love at Garden State Equality for nearly two decades.

“We are grateful to the governor and the legislative leadership for helping us protect these vital rights from the national onslaught being leveled against the LGBTQ community every day,” said Prol, a co-author of the legislation. “Our community can now sleep tight knowing that their relationships are cemented in New Jersey’s statutory law books.”

The bill’s primary sponsors also issued statements of support after its passage:

Sen. Loretta Weinberg – “Devoted same-sex couples all across New Jersey are raising families as contributing members of their communities. We fought to correct the injustice that denied these rights for too many loving couples for far too long. We don’t want to see those rights lost to an arch-conservative agenda of recent Supreme Court appointees.”

Sen. Steve Sweeney – “This is about acting to ensure equal treatment and civil rights for all New Jerseyans, including same-sex couples. Marriage equality respects the rights of loving couples who deserve to be treated equally. The courts have ruled that same-sex marriages are a fundamental right, but we want to put it into statute to protect against any backtracking by the U.S. Supreme Court. It is the right thing to do.”

Sen. Vin Gopal – “Basic equal rights should not be denied to any class of citizen, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The law must protect all civil rights and continue to honor the union between two people who love each other. We need to make these rights more secure by writing them into law.”

Assembly Member Valerie Vainieri Huttle – “In 2012, I was proud to be a prime sponsor of New Jersey’s Marriage Equality Act. Following Governor Christie’s veto, advocates continued the fight to the New Jersey Supreme Court, where they were finally successful in legalizing same-sex marriage. I am proud to once again have led the charge to ensure that the rights of the LGBTQ community are safeguarded.”

Assembly Member Mila Jasey – “As Justice Kennedy so eloquently observed in Obergefell, ‘No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were. Today, we recommit to guaranteeing that one of ‘civilization’s oldest institutions’ is forever enshrined in statute for all who desire to embark upon the commitment above all others.”

Assembly Member Annette Quijano – “Today we take action with this new law in order to preserve marriage equality in New Jersey. We remain committed to our friends in the Garden State’s LGBTQ community and do all we can to ensure same-sex couples have equal rights under the law which includes marriage.”

Assembly Member Andrew Zwicker – “In 2013, I was ecstatic and grateful that the Court ruled that New Jersey must recognize same-sex marriage. Today, I am proud to stand in solidarity with everyone who fought the good fight for a right that couples should have always had: the right for someone to marry who they love. It is important for State law to forever enshrine the legality of marriage equality.”

Assembly Member Joann Downey – “This new law is just one more step to show we continue to stand strong against discrimination and prejudice, and we seek to create a New Jersey that is inclusive and unified for all people.”

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