The New Jersey Supreme Court said Friday that same-sex marriages can begin taking place Monday, brushing aside a request from the administration of Gov. Chris Christie (R) for a delay.
The justices ruled that “the public interest does not favor a stay” and that the state has “not shown a reasonable probability it will succeed on the merits” of the case.
Christie’s administration appealed a lower-court ruling last month that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. But the governor’s press secretary, Michael Drewniak, said in a statement Friday that the governor will comply with the ruling.
“The Supreme Court has made its determination,” Drewniak said. “While the governor firmly believes that this determination should be made by all the people of the State of New Jersey, he has instructed the Department of Health to cooperate with all municipalities in effectuating the order of the Superior Court under the applicable law.”
Christie, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, has said he favors civil unions but remains opposed to same-sex marriage. He has said he would prefer that the issue be put on the ballot rather than decided by the courts.
Gay rights activists rejoiced at Friday’s ruling.
“On Monday, New Jersey will begin to tear down its Berlin Wall separating straight people who have had total freedom, and LGBT people who have not,” said Steven Goldstein, founder of Garden State Equality. “Governor Christie, not even you have the power to resurrect that wall. .
The justices ruled that “the public interest does not favor a stay” and that the state has “not shown a reasonable probability it will succeed on the merits” of the case.
Christie’s administration appealed a lower-court ruling last month that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. But the governor’s press secretary, Michael Drewniak, said in a statement Friday that the governor will comply with the ruling.
“The Supreme Court has made its determination,” Drewniak said. “While the governor firmly believes that this determination should be made by all the people of the State of New Jersey, he has instructed the Department of Health to cooperate with all municipalities in effectuating the order of the Superior Court under the applicable law.”
Christie, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, has said he favors civil unions but remains opposed to same-sex marriage. He has said he would prefer that the issue be put on the ballot rather than decided by the courts.
Gay rights activists rejoiced at Friday’s ruling.
“On Monday, New Jersey will begin to tear down its Berlin Wall separating straight people who have had total freedom, and LGBT people who have not,” said Steven Goldstein, founder of Garden State Equality. “Governor Christie, not even you have the power to resurrect that wall. .