Refusing the Christie Administration’s request to stay Judge Mary Jacobson’s September 27 ruling that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in New Jersey, the state’s supreme court unanimously ruled on October 18 that Jacobson’s order will go into effect on October 21. Although the court will hear oral arguments in January on the merits of the case, the opinion by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner strongly signals that the state will most likely lose … <Read More>
Garden State Equality v. Dow
New Jersey Superior Court Denies Motion to Stay Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
Mercer County Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson has denied a motion by the New Jersey government to stay her decision ordering that the state begin granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples by October 21. In a decision issued today (October 10), Jacobson found that none of the factors considered by courts in deciding such motions were met, and that the public interest would be served by allowing her decision to go into effect. The … <Read More>
New Jersey and Illinois Trial Courts Advance Pending Marriage Equality Cases in September 27 Rulings
In a big day for the campaign for marriage equality, trial judges moved the ball forward significantly in New Jersey and Illinois on September 27. Mercer County (NJ) Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson granted a motion for summary judgment filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of Garden State Equality, a gay rights group, ruling that New Jersey must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning on October 21, 2013. Cook County (IL) Circuit … <Read More>