Gay couples who sued New Jersey in 2002 for the right to marry are taking their case back to the State Supreme Court.
Lambda Legal filed a motion Thursday on behalf of six couples and the surviving partner from a seventh, claiming the state continues to discriminate against them even though it offers civil unions to same-sex couples.
“The New Jersey Supreme Court ordered equality for same-sex couples when it decided our marriage lawsuit in 2006, and the legislature has failed to meet that crystal-clear obligation,” said Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director Hayley Gorenberg.
“Civil unions are a failed legislative experiment in providing equality—marriage equality is the only solution.”
Lambda Legal filed Lewis v. Harris in June 2002 on behalf of seven same-sex couples seeking the right to marry.
The New Jersey Supreme Court issued its ruling on October 25, 2006, unanimously agreeing that it is unconstitutional to give same-sex couples lesser rights than different-sex couples, but leaving the remedy to reach equality up to the legislature.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
In January, the New Jersey Senate voted on and failed to pass a marriage equality law.
