gay jersey!

Mayor Anxious To Perform New Jersey's First Civil Union
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: January 4, 2007 - 12:00 am ET

(Lambertville, New Jersey) While most New Jersey mayors are publicly announcing they will refuse to perform civil unions for same-sex couples when the law comes into effect next month, one mayor is making it known he wants to conduct the first union in the state.

Lambertville mayor David Del Vecchio says he wants to set an example for other communities by performing the first civil union.

Del Vecchio made the pledge at his inauguration for his sixth term as mayor.

"Some of my mayoral colleagues have already said they will not perform civil union ceremonies," Del Vecchio said.

"As mayor, I will perform civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. And it is my hope that we will be able to set an example for other communities by celebrating one of the first — if not the first — civil union in the state when the law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 19."

Same-sex couples will be able to apply for licenses on Feb 19, and under the provisions of the law, be able to have civil union ceremonies 72 hours later.

A survey by one New Jersey newspaper last month, shortly after the civil union bill was signed into law, found almost all mayors in the state would refuse to perform a civil union ceremony.

In a legal opinion by N.J. Attorney General Stuart Rabner issued to municipal officials Rabner said that if they conduct ceremonies for opposite-sex couples they must also perform civil unions.

In a separate communication to local officials John M. Carbone, an attorney representing county clerks and surrogates in all 21 New Jersey counties, advises "Either do marriages and civil unions, or do nothing."

Under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination any official who performs ceremonies for opposite-sex couples but refuses to conduct civil unions could be removed from office and subjected to fines beginning at $10,000 for the first offense Rabner said.

The civil union law was the result of an October ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court that same-sex couples should have access to the same rights and benefits as married couples. Whether to call those rights marriages, civil unions or something else was left up to lawmakers.

The legislature opted for civil unions.

The law offers couples who register most state benefits and protections currently available to opposite-sex couples, including the right to health insurance through a partner’s employer.

But it does not provide any of the benefits of marriage under federal law, and it still could cost same-sex couples more than marriage couples for health insurance. (story)