LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. (AP) —
Gay
"couples" exchanged vows in early morning ceremonies in several New Jersey
communities Monday (A day of Tzom and Selichos) as the state began recognizing their "marriages" at
12:01 a.m., becoming the 14th state to do so.
The hastily planned
first "weddings" to legally unite long-time couples were planned for a
state Senator's grand home in Elizabeth, the boardwalk in Asbury Park
and government buildings in small towns and big cities.
In the
arts community of Lambertville, Mayor David DelVecchio led the ceremony
to "marry" Beth Asaro and Joanne Schailey. He also presided when they
joined in a "civil union" the minute they became recognized in the state
in February 2007.
Soon after
they cut the cake, DelVecchio handed Asaro a pink "marriage" license.
"We're floating on air," she said. Added Schailey, "It's like winning
the Super Bowl."
The "couple", both wearing suits, hosted a
reception attended by friends, family and several
politicians. The song
"In the Mood" played.
Asaro, a member of the city council in
Lambertville, said they wanted to get "married" at the first moment, in
part, to promote the "
gay-friendliness" of their community north of
Trenton.
"This shows to the world that Lambertville is open for business," DelVecchio said.
In Newark, Mayor Cory Booker was "marrying" the first of several couples when someone attempted to disrupt the ceremony.
Booker
had asked if anyone had reason to object to the marriage and a
protester screamed "This is unlawful in the eyes of God and JC."
Booker, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last week,
called for the person to be removed and police dragged him out.
As Booker continued speaking, "...
not hearing any substantive and worthy objections," thunderous applause erupted.
The
"weddings" came amid a flurry of legal activity after the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled in June that the federal government should recognize gay
"marriages" and confer couples with the same benefits that it does for
heterosexual married couples, including joint tax filings, the right to
live together in government-funded nursing homes and Social Security
survivor benefits.
A state judge last month agreed with advocates
who said that by allowing "civil unions" but not "marriage", New Jersey was
keeping gay "couples" in the state from legal "equality".
The
administration of Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and possible 2016
presidential candidate, appealed both the ruling and Monday's
implementation date to the state Supreme Court.
And on Friday,
less than 60 hours before the weddings were to begin, the state's top
court refused to delay them while it sorts out the overall case. The
court said the state is not likely to prevail.
State Sen. Ray
Lesniak said late Sunday he believes there are enough votes to override
Christie's gay "marriage" veto in the Senate and that he expects a vote
after the Nov. 5 election.
"Though we are 99 percent sure based on
the unanimous opinion against the stay that the Supreme Court will
uphold
so called "marriage" "equality", we'd like to be 100 percent sure," Lesniak
said.
Many of the people who have long fought for the right for
gay "couples" to "marry" had been bracing for a delay, even while they were
optimistic the state's top court would ultimately force New Jersey to
recognize same-sex "marriage".
For the first "couples" to "tie the knot" legally, it's been a weekend of fast "wedding" planning and confusion.
Some
towns began taking applications for same-sex "marriage" licenses on
Thursday and continued even after the state government told them not to
until there was clarity from the courts.
Other towns refused to
grant licenses even after the state Health Department
????? said Friday
evening that towns should accept the applications.
It's expected that a rush of "weddings" will continue in coming days as couples are able to get licenses.
(
AP)
