NJ court grills lawyers

on gay marriage

BY JONATHAN TAMARI, dailyrecord.com, February 15, 2006

TRENTON -- Advocates of gay marriage pressed the state Supreme Court today to allow same-sex weddings, saying the state's current laws are discriminatory and violate the state constitution by denying that right.

A state attorney, however, said the New Jersey Constitution contains no explicit right to marriage and contended decisions on changing the laws should be left to the Legislature.  Two lower courts have sided with the state.

The hour-long hearing marked the end of formal proceedings in a nearly four-year legal battle, as gay-rights advocates fought to make New Jersey the second state in the nation to allow same-sex marriages.

The justices reserved their decision until a later date, but after the hearing members of the seven same-sex couples suing the state were near tears with optimism and relief.

"There's nothing like knowing that you're close to the win," said Alicia TobyHeath, a Newark resident.

Conservative groups quickly said they will push for a constitutional amendment barring gay marriage if the court rules in favor of the same-sex couples.