First Civil Union in New Jersey Scheduled for February 22, 2007

In accordance with the October 25, 2006 New Jersey Supreme Court opinion in Lewis v. Harris which held that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual couples, the New Jersey legislature passed and Governor Corzine signed legislation on December 21, 2006 authorizing same-sex civil unions.  See AP, New Jersey governor signs civil unions into law, Dec. 21, 2006.

The legislation will not take effect until February 19, 2007 but there is a three day waiting period so the first same-sex civil union cannot take place until February 22, 2007.  Lambertville mayor David Del Vecchio plans to officiate a civil union ceremony for a gay couple at the exact moment they become legal, that is, at 12:01 a.m.  See AP, Lambertville mayor planing to perform early civil union, Jan. 2, 2007.