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.
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The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you.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.
In January, the New Jersey Senate voted on and failed to pass a marriage equality law.
