http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/25/jersey.samesex.ap/index.html
Well, according to the actual news report, maybe it's not such a landmark decision.
Oh, but it is, Blanche, it is!
The court has held, that based on the State Of NJ Constitution, gay men and women must be granted equal co-habitation rights.
They left it to the legislature to either:
A. Amend the law to allow same-sex marriage, or
B. Create a new civil construct for same-sex unions
The Legislature must either amend the marriage statutes to include same-sex couples or create a parallel statutory structure, which will provide for, on equal terms, the rights and benefits enjoyed and burdens and obligations borne by married couples," the court held.
The court ruled that the state does not have a "legitimate governmental purpose" in denying same-sex couples "the financial and social benefits and privileges given to their married heterosexual counterparts."
Considering that the Whacko Right went apoplectic at Condi's reference to a gay man's "mother-in-law", this ruling may require the generation of new terminology to describe their dismay!
And since this was a NJ Supreme Court ruling based on the NJ Constitution, there is no recourse to a higher court!
The anti-crowd will have no recourse but to attempt to amend the State Constitution, which I am sure they will try!
der Brucer
