NJ Urges No Quick Ruling to Allow Gay Marriage

Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.

Lawyers for New Jersey say gay rights advocates are misinterpreting a U.S. Supreme Court ruling as a key part of their demand that a New Jersey judge order the state to recognize same-sex marriage.

The state government filed a legal brief Friday asking a judge not to heed the advocates' call.

Seven same-sex couples say now that the U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated key parts of a federal law banning gay marriage, New Jersey's refusal to allow gay nuptials is keeping residents from getting full federal protections. They say a judge should be able to rule without a trial.

The state's filing says New Jersey couples in civil unions should be able to receive federal benefits and that it's the federal government that should be sued, not the state.


by Jason St. Amand , National News Editor

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