ACROSS THE NATION - Civil unions law takes effect
ACROSS THE NATION - Civil unions law takes effect
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Published February 19, 2007
TEANECK, NEW JERSEY -- Hundreds of gay couples were set to have the same legal protections as married couples Monday, as a law making New Jersey the third state in the nation to offer civil unions takes effect.
The law makes New Jersey one of just five states to offer all the legal benefits of marriage to gay partners.
The state, though, stopped short of calling the institutions marriage.
Civil unions emerged in New Jersey out of four years of litigation and a whirlwind few weeks of political dealing late last year.
In October, the state Supreme Court ruled that gay couples were constitutionally entitled to the benefits of marriage, but left it up to lawmakers to decide the details.
Those who have civil unions or marriages from other states or nations that allow them were automatically considered to be in civil unions in New Jersey at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Published February 19, 2007
TEANECK, NEW JERSEY -- Hundreds of gay couples were set to have the same legal protections as married couples Monday, as a law making New Jersey the third state in the nation to offer civil unions takes effect.
The law makes New Jersey one of just five states to offer all the legal benefits of marriage to gay partners.
The state, though, stopped short of calling the institutions marriage.
Civil unions emerged in New Jersey out of four years of litigation and a whirlwind few weeks of political dealing late last year.
In October, the state Supreme Court ruled that gay couples were constitutionally entitled to the benefits of marriage, but left it up to lawmakers to decide the details.
Those who have civil unions or marriages from other states or nations that allow them were automatically considered to be in civil unions in New Jersey at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 8:19 AM
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