What is the status of relationship equality (“gay marriage”) in New Jersey?
As of Feb. 19, 2007, New Jersey has a “separate but equal” system of civil union, where same-sex couples in civil unions should be afforded all the same New Jersey rights as heterosexual married couples. However, this ideal has not been met. On July 10, 2004, the New Jersey Domestic Partnership Law took effect, granting same-sex couples some of the same financial and legal benefits as married couples. Those couples who joined in a domestic partnership before the civil unions law took effect, will remain domestic partners unless they join into a civil union or the partnership is dissolved. Pride Guide Online does not maintain current information on civil unions. For current information, we recommend the sites maintained by Stephen Hyland and Garden State Equality. For historical information please see the PGO page, New Jersey Domestic Partnership: Facts and Figures.
