Several New Jersey cities began issuing
marriage licenses on Friday to gay and lesbian couples.
According to the The Star-Ledger,
a “handful” of cities, including Jersey City and Asbury Park,
have started issuing licenses.
Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson
ruled on September 27 that the state must begin issuing marriage
licenses to gay and lesbian couples as of October 21.
Republican Governor Chris Christie
appealed the order to the state Supreme Court and asked Jacobson to
stay her decision until the matter is resolved. Jacobson denied the
request, stating that the state was unlikely to win its appeal.
“Granting a stay would simply allow
the state to violate the equal protection rights of New Jersey
same-sex couples, which can hardly be considered a public interest,”
Jacobson wrote.
Christie asked the high court to delay
Monday's start, but, as of Friday morning, the court had yet to issue
a stay.
“We're being proactive,” Asbury
Park administrator Terence Reidy told the paper, “so that when
the 21st comes, any couple that wants to be married,
they're ready and we're ready.”
“Absent a legally binding order not
to issue these applications, it is our understanding of the law, that
we have the right and obligation to begin issuing applications
tomorrow,” Reidy said on Thursday. “Please be clear, this is not
an act of civil disobedience, but rather our interpretation of what
the law permits at this time.”
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop also
announced that Jersey City will begin issuing licenses on Friday.
“[We intend] on being the first to
issue licenses and perform weddings on Monday,” Fulop said in a
statement.