New Jersey Marriages: Same-Sex Weddings Legal After Governor Chris Christie Drops Appeal [VIDEO, PHOTOS]
Governor Chris Christie dropped his bid to appeal gay marriages in New Jersey on Monday, making unions that were performed as early as last night official.
The move made New Jersey to be the 14th state to approve such marriages, after a September ruling that the state was required to allow the nuptials in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave same-sex marriages federal recognition.
"Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has no spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law ," Christie's spokesman Michael Drewniak said in a statement. "The governor will do his, constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the New Jersey Supreme Court."
Christie initially opposed the ruling, saying that state resident should be allowed a vote on the matter and not the courts or legislators.
Mayor Cory Booker began ceremonies for seven couples just after midnight Monday morning when the ruling officially went into effect. The news was met with joy from same-sex couples but has earned scrutiny from conservative groups opposed to the law, according to The Detroit Free-Press.
"This is just another example of the courts making law out of thin air," Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said. "Obviously, Christie should have continued the lawsuit."
How the announcement could affect Christie, a potential 2016 presidential candidate for the Republican party, is undetermined.
New Jersey now allows same-sex marriages already legal in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The marriages are also recognized in Washington D.C. according to freedomtomarry.org.
Broad protections, such as civil unions for same-sex couples, are offered in six additional states.
Roughly 30 percent of Americans now live in a state that recognizes same-sex partnerships in some legal way.
