TRENTON – Same-sex marriage advocates in New Jersey cheered the ruling that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act but lamented the fact it does not bring same-sex marriage to this state.
“The decisions do not extend marriage equality to New Jersey, and New Jersey’s couples in civil unions will continue to be shut out of federal marriage rights even as our brothers and sisters in Connecticut, Delaware, New York and elsewhere have achieved full equality,” said Troy Stevenson, head of Garden State Equality Action, in a statement Wednesday.
The high court ruled that DOMA violates the 5th Amendment of the Constitution.
“By striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Court is also ensuring that the LGBT Americans who live in those 13 states and D.C. (that have same-sex marriage laws) will have equal access to the 1,138 federal marriage rights and benefits that opposite-sex couples already enjoy,” he said in the release.
