Scroll To Top
Marriage Equality

Gov. Christie Files 'Emergency' Request to Stop Marriage Equality

Gov. Christie Files 'Emergency' Request to Stop Marriage Equality

Chris_christie_judge-mary-jacobsonx400

Republican governor Chris Christie filed an emergency appeal with the New Jersey Supreme Court Thursday, asking the court to delay the start of marriage equality until his appeal in an ongoing state court challenge is resolved. If the Supreme Court denies Christie's request, same-sex marriages could begin October 21.

True
sunnivie
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

UPDATE: Gov. Chris Christie's office filed an emergency appeal with the New Jersey Supreme Court late Thursday, asking for a stay on marriage equality in the state, after a local judge denied Christie's appeal of a September ruling declaring that same-sex couples must be permitted to begin marrying by October 21.

The emergency petition asks the court to delay marriage equality in the Garden State until a court can resolve Christie's appeal, reports the Associated Press.

Judge Mary Jacobson, who issued the September ruling that declared New Jersey must allow same-sex couples to begin marrying by October 21, denied a request from the Republican governor to delay the implementation of her ruling while the governor's appeal works its way through the state court system, according to the AP.

"Granting a stay would simply allow the state to continue to violate the equal protection rights of New Jersey same-sex couples, which can hardly be considered a public interest," Jacobson wrote, according to the AP. Jacobson also denied the request because, she wrote, she doesn't believe the state is likely to win its appeal, and embracing marriage equality would not harm the state of New Jersey.

Jacobson cited the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26 ruling in U.S. v. Windsor in her original ruling, finding that New Jersey could not legally deny the benefits of marriage to same-sex spouses now that the federal government has made those benefits available to all legally married couples, regardless of jurisdiction.

Thirteen states, including most of the Northeast and the District of Columbia, allow same-sex couples to marry. New Jersey allows same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, and in 2012 passed a marriage equality bill out of both chambers of the state legislature with bipartisan support. But Christie vetoed that bill in February of last year, saying he believes the issue should be decided by New Jersey voters.

sunnivie
Stonewall Brick AwardsOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.
Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.