McGreevey: I
would walk down aisle

Former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, who resigned in 2004 after acknowledging an affair with a male staffer, said he would tie the knot with his partner if New Jersey lawmakers decide to allow same-sex marriage.

''Marriage would offer the ability to bless our relationship in a committed way,'' McGreevey, 49, told The New York Times.

McGreevey's comments followed a New Jersey supreme court ruling Wednesday that same-sex couples must be given the same rights as married people. The court left it up to the legislature to decide whether to extend those rights under the structure of marriage or something else.

Some gay rights advocates said the decision didn't go far enough. McGreevey, who told the Associated Press last month that he had publicly opposed marriage equality while in office as a way to keep his homosexuality hidden, hailed the ruling. ''I applaud the court's courage,'' McGreevey told the AP. ''I regret not having had the fortitude to embrace this right during my tenure as governor.''

McGreevey now lives with Mark O'Donnell, a 43-year-old Australian businessman. Before they could marry, the former governor would have to finalize his divorce from his second wife. (AP)