# NJ has joined the 'axis of evil' on rights for same-sex couples. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932 "2006-10-26T02:07:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/1 "2006-10-26T02:07:44Z")
I am proud to say that NJ has joined the ranks on Massachusetts and Vermont in awarding couples the same rights as other couples. The Court has given the NJ legislature 18 months to rewrite the state laws. The Family First crazies are trying to amend the NJ constitution, but they have little chance in my state. [New Jersey Court Rules for Same-Sex Rights : NPR](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6383401), link to the full audio report is on this page along with the brief. [QUOTE=All Things Considered, October 25, 2006] New Jersey’s highest court rules that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights as heterosexual couples. Now, it will be up to the legislature to rewrite state laws to provide for gay marriage or some other form of civil union. [/QUOTE] Additional links: [http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/PubArticleNY.jsp?hubtype=TopStories&id=1161767120183](http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/PubArticleNY.jsp?hubtype=TopStories&id=1161767120183) > **[New Jersey court recognizes right to same-sex unions - CNN.com](https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/25/gay.marriage/)** > > In a decision likely to stoke the contentious election-year debate over same-sex marriage, the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that state lawmakers must provide the rights and benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. [QUOTE=CNN] Advocates of same-sex marriage hailed the decision, a respite from many defeats this year in courts nationwide. “That is wonderful news,” said Cindy Meneghin, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit by seven same-sex couples that prompted Wednesday’s decision. “We can only hope that that means marriage, because that is the only way they can give us full equality.” [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=CNN] Opponents of same-sex marriage contend the \*\*New Jersey decision could have a national impact because the state imposes no residency requirements \*\* for people seeking marriage. In essence, it could open the door for gay and lesbian couples from other states to marry in New Jersey and challenge laws against same-sex marriage in their own states. [/QUOTE] My Bolding Yep, NJ has sent a big F.U. to all the oppressive religious nutters that are trying to dictate their med-evil morals upon the rest of the county. So fellow dopers, what do you think? Jim ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/2 "2006-10-26T02:34:05Z")
This ruling is almost certainly a direct result of decades of accumulated organic toxins; something in the soil, maybe. New Jerseyans are clearly in the process of degenerating into a race of hermaphroditic lesbian salamanders. No doubt this was all predicted in the book of Revelations. We can only pray that an amendment declares these unions illegal before the state crumbles away and sinks under the weight of its own sin. Whatever happened to the wholesome, idyllic New Jersey of days gone by? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/3 "2006-10-26T03:13:07Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] New Jerseyans are clearly in the process of degenerating into a race of hermaphroditic lesbian salamanders. [/QUOTE] Three eyes. Don’t forget about the three eyes. This election in Arizona there is a state-wide proposition to put no same-sex marriages into the constitution (There’s already a state law). This afternoon the biggest news-talk station (Not particularly liberal) held an informal phone-in poll on _all_ the propositions and governor/senator elections. Callers would each get asked their opinion on two from that pool of queries, so the above proposaition wasn’t the particular focus of the poll. The callers were about two to one against. I find this surprising and not a little heartening. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/4 "2006-10-26T03:31:43Z")
Woohoo. How fabulous. (I wonder how people are going to feel about getting a gay marriage in 20+ years when it’s done everywhere and people cease to care. It just seems like there’s more emphasis on the symbolism of getting the same perceived “rights” as a male-female couple than there is on the importance of the union itself) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/5 "2006-10-26T03:39:55Z")
I for one welcome our three-eyed hermaphroditic lesbian salamander overlords. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/6 "2006-10-26T03:45:34Z")
[QUOTE=Rigamarole] Woohoo. How fabulous. (I wonder how people are going to feel about getting a gay marriage in 20+ years when it’s done everywhere and people cease to care. It just seems like there’s more emphasis on the symbolism of getting the same perceived “rights” as a male-female couple than there is on the importance of the union itself) [/QUOTE] I think many people will be quite content when the day comes in 20 years that people cease to care. I hope you are right that it will be only 20. **Terrifel** : “hermaphroditic lesbian salamanders” is not an awesome band name but as **DesertDog** points out “Three eyed hermaphroditic lesbian salamanders” would be. 😉 According to the articles there appears to be 20 states with Defense of Marriage acts, 2 with Constitutional amendments and 8 with Amendments slated to vote this year. This is a pretty important step as NJ “imposes no residency requirements”. Or I could be wrong. Or the Religious Righties with tighty mighty whiteys might get a National amendment passed. Thankfully I believe this plan of their’s is nearly impossible. Jim {BTW, I am hetero but my BIL is not, I attended his not recognized wedding} ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/7 "2006-10-26T03:52:21Z")
I love this state tonight. We may be corrupt. We may have the highest property taxes in the country. We may have a few thousand toxic waste sites. We may get laughed at on late night television at least once a week. But we clearly have no homophobic judges. I say gay schmay. Let’s all get married and live happily ever after. At the very least this will keep the Christian right wingers from moving here. So is the North Soddom and the South Gemorrah? Or is it the other way around? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/8 "2006-10-26T05:32:53Z")
Guess who said afterwards: > [@](#): > > I don’t think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that’s what a state chooses to do so. I view the definition of marriage different from legal arrangements that enable people to have rights. And I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as between a union between a man and a woman. Now, having said that, states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/9 "2006-10-26T05:57:22Z")
I blame gay marriage. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/10 "2006-10-26T07:27:41Z")
Oh no! Bush, what the hell? I thought you took care of the gays back in 2004. Apparently they’re still around causing trouble…this is a rebellion! Oh well, I guess if we have to have a rebellion it may as well be a fabulous one. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/11 "2006-10-26T07:49:24Z")
[QUOTE=mstay] Oh well, I guess if we have to have a rebellion it may as well be a fabulous one. [/QUOTE] Band name! (Fabulous Rebellion) ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/12 "2006-10-26T12:01:44Z")
Answer to post #8: George W. Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/13 "2006-10-26T12:03:58Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] The Court has given the NJ legislature 18 months to rewrite the state laws. [/QUOTE] The court has actually given the legislature 180 days, or 6 months, to change the law. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/14 "2006-10-26T12:15:19Z")
Has Phred Phelps weighed in on this latest abomination? After all, the Amish schoolchildren were killed because something something the governor did and OMG WE’RE BEING PUNISHED BECAUSE WE DON’T TAKE GAYS OUT AND SHOOT THEM IN THE HEAD. How long before a blizzard snows in Trenton? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/15 "2006-10-26T13:02:23Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] The court has actually given the legislature 180 days, or 6 months, to change the law. [/QUOTE] :smack: Thank you for the correction. I am dumb. I heard 180 days and somehow came up with 18 months. Good catch. [QUOTE=Walloon] Guess who said afterwards: > [@](#): > > I don’t think we should deny people rights to a civil union, a legal arrangement, if that’s what a state chooses to do so. I view the definition of marriage different from legal arrangements that enable people to have rights. And I strongly believe that marriage ought to be defined as between a union between a man and a woman. Now, having said that, states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others. Answer to post #8: George W. Bush. [/QUOTE] Wow, really, I am surprised by the attitude and heartened by it. Sometimes the man surprises me. Can you please link to where you found this and tell us where you heard it? **LavenderBlue** : For everything that is wrong, we have just as much that is great and the easiest place to visit NYC, AC, Philly, DC & Baltimore from plus the Shore. Jim ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/16 "2006-10-26T13:16:09Z")
[QUOTE=Rigamarole] (I wonder how people are going to feel about getting a gay marriage in 20+ years when it’s done everywhere and people cease to care. It just seems like there’s more emphasis on the symbolism of getting the same perceived “rights” as a male-female couple than there is on the importance of the union itself) [/QUOTE] I haven’t known too many gay married couples (I’m 25 - I don’t know that many _straight_ married couples either), but I’m pretty sure when they decided to get hitched, the importance of the union itself was pretty high up the priority chart. If I feel like sticking it to the man, I think I’ll go to a protest; it’s less time-consuming and I don’t need to secure a groom first. ---
**Author:** ![Merhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Merhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/17 "2006-10-26T13:23:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Now, having said that, states ought to be able to have the right to pass laws that enable people to be able to have rights like others. I’m hoping this isn’t a direct quote, or that there’s a word or several missing in there someplace. Or else I need a lot of caffeine. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/18 "2006-10-26T13:43:43Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] This ruling is almost certainly a direct result of decades of accumulated organic toxins; something in the soil, maybe. New Jerseyans are clearly in the process of degenerating into a race of hermaphroditic lesbian salamanders. No doubt this was all predicted in the book of Revelations. We can only pray that an amendment declares these unions illegal before the state crumbles away and sinks under the weight of its own sin. Whatever happened to the wholesome, idyllic New Jersey of days gone by? [/QUOTE] Terrifel, you have just made me laugh for the first time since my mother died. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/19 "2006-10-26T13:47:14Z")
Let us hope that New Jersey braces itself sufficiently for the onslaught of [wiseacre straight roommates](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000128.html) who will be storming City Hall. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932/20 "2006-10-26T14:15:00Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] Terrifel, you have just made me laugh for the first time since my mother died. Thank you. [/QUOTE] You’re welcome. I’m sorry to learn of your loss, but I’m glad that I could make a small difference. I can’t take all the credit of course; the lion’s share must be awarded to New Jersey, Fountain of Comedy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-has-joined-the-axis-of-evil-on-rights-for-same-sex-couples/377932.md?page=2)