Six N.J. Gay Couples Seek Court Permission To Marry

After a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage was voted down by the New Jersey state Senate, six gay and lesbian couples have asked the state Supreme Court to allow them to wed. New Jersey already allows civil unions, which are supposed to guarantee that same-sex couples receive all of the benefits of marriage. But some Garden State gay activists, like Cindy Meneghin, told the Star-Ledger they're still not given the rights they deserve, proving "that civil unions are not equal to marriage."

Meneghin says that even though she and her partner Maureen Kilian, both 52, have a civil union, they aren't treated the way they would be if they were married. Last summer, when Meneghin was hospitalized for appendicitis, she claims that hospital workers didn't understand the rights guaranteed to her partner under their civil union. "I got the same blank stares," Meneghin said. "The bottom line is marriage has meaning that civil unions will never have."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Muessig in News on March 19, 2010 3:23 PM

Comments [rss]

chris lee

The issue is not whether it "harms" anyone. The issue is upon what do we BASE the title and designation. Marriage is not about whether people are nice or not, there are visably horrible straight marriages, but what IS the definition of marriage, and isn't that what the argument is here?

chris lee

Gay marriage advocates..suppose a brother and sister want to marry, a father and daughter..should they be allowed? why? why not?

Mr. Know-It-All

I can't imagine why a marriage equality advocate would give a rat's ass. If you want to marry your sister or your daughter, though, you're free to start your own campaign.

S.K.

And polygamists, too. It's consensual, harms nobody.

bleeckerite

At the time of this writing there are more states that approve marriage between first cousins than gay marriage.

So much for your hypothetical slippery slope - it's more of a reality than gay marriage. It's not as extreme as daddy-daughter but it's not far off either.

Ishtar

I hope this isn't one of those silly "slippery slope" arguments.

Kymus

No, it's a lame attempt to build a straw man argument.

brawny

Can I sell my right to get married to a gay or lesbian couple that wants it? Sorta like the cap and trade program for carbon. Or has the limit of loveless straight marriages pumping our hateful children not been reached?

brawny

haha. pumping "out".

chuzzlewit

i'm crackin up!

hotstepper

whoa, one letter makes so much difference.

Splicer

Either you have a society that affords all its citizens the same rights or you admit that your society is intrinsically unequal (and proud of it). Simply put, marriage is a legal status not a religious one. The end.