JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the City of Jersey City will file a brief in Hudson County Superior Court at noon today seeking a waiver of the 72-hour waiting period for marriage licenses so that same-sex couples may begin to marry at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21st.

 On Sept. 27th, Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson granted an emergency request by six gay couples, ordering state officials to begin officiating same-sex marriages on Monday, October 21st.  Her ruling was on the grounds it denied those couples federal benefits by only allowing civil unions.

“This is a civil rights issue and we are seeking legal action on behalf of our constituents whose rights currently are being infringed by the state administration with their delay tactics,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Jersey City has the largest LGBT community in New Jersey and we are intending on being the first to issue licenses and perform weddings on Monday.  The courts have spoke and marriage equality is coming to the Garden State. As elected officials we should be doing everything in our power to ensure all of our residents have the same rights.”

 

The City will file its brief before Hudson County Assignment Judge Peter Bariso. Currently, municipal clerks throughout the state have not received the paperwork to begin processing the marriage applications and the 72-hour window has already begun for anyone wishing to marry at the first legal opportunity, which is 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21st.

 

All media inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Morrill, Press Secretary for the City of Jersey City, at 201-547-4836 or 201-376-0699./////