NEW JERSEY: Superior Court Judge Allows Marriage Equality Lawsuit To Proceed

A New Jersey Superior Court judge today granted permission for Lambda Legal to proceed with its marriage equality lawsuit on behalf of Garden State Equality and seven same-sex couples. Via press release:

"We are delighted that the New Jersey Superior Court will allow this case to continue and permit us to demonstrate how the legislature's crafting of a status other than marriage for same-sex couples has failed to provide them the equality promised by the New Jersey Constitution. Civil union relegates New Jersey's same-sex couples to a second-class status that keeps them and their families vulnerable," said Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director.

"By moving to dismiss, the government was trying to prevent us from showing exactly how the current classification system based on sexual orientation harms families. New Jersey’s exclusion interferes during medical crises, denies them health insurance, and leads to discrimination against them even in funeral homes. These families need marriage equality and should not have to live with a law that treats them as inferior."

The judge's ruling squashed the attempt by the state Attorney General to have the case dismissed entirely.