NJ OKs civil unions for gays

[BR_Parkway]

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Thursday signed a civil unions law giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities - but not the title - of marriage.

The law makes New Jersey the third in the nation to institute civil unions and the fifth to offer same-sex couples some version of marriage. Connecticut and Vermont allow civil unions for gay couples. Massachusetts allows gay couples to marry; California has domestic partnerships that bring full marriage rights.

"We must recognize that many gay and lesbian couples in New Jersey are in committed relationships and deserve the same benefits and rights as every other family in this state," Corzine said. About 150 people attended the bill signing.

The New Jersey law takes effect Feb. 19. Same-sex couples seeking civil unions will have to wait for three days for a ceremony to take place after registering their plans with local officials. That is the same waiting period for couples seeking marriage licenses.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/16286705.htm

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. They should put up a big sign that reads:

"This water fountain: Whites only"


Jim Crow is and always will be a very ugly thing.

[xchrom]

2. by agonizing inches -- we move ahead to full equality.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Not good enough Jersey

If you want their Tax Dollars then you give em every fucking line of the constitution.

[BR_Parkway]

4. So if a couple who got married in MA, where they actually call it

that were to move, sue the state to recognize them, lose and sue in Federal Court under Fair Faith and Credit - if they lost at that level due to DMA, could they make a case to be exempt from Federal taxes?

I'd take that as compensation for now.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Whoa BR

Ya lost me there Friend; but yeah, what you said. I like that line of thinking, however I believe if such action were pursued, it would be tied up in court for decades.

[BR_Parkway]

7. But we know the Repug leadership doens't really care about the gays

like they do the money - they only bash the gays for profit and political power - So why don't we take the fight where it will matter.

All 1st class citizens have to pay income tax, us 2nd class one's are exempt. Talk about some heads exploding over us getting "special rights". And how many ignorant rednecks who would happily beat my face into the ground (well, try to anyhow) would start checking the box that says Gay under exemptions?

[LeftCoast]

6. Well, it's the back of the bus, but at least they're letting us on finally.

Trying to stay positive.

:shrug: