NJ Gay Marriage Advocate Irked By Uncertainty

Unless the New Jersey Supreme Court grants the Christie Administration’s motion for a stay, the state will have to comply with Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson’s order that same-sex marriages should be permitted in the Garden State starting Oct. 21. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora wants clarification now on whether gay couples can or can't apply for marriage licenses today.

In an email sent yesterday, State Registrar Vincent Arrisi acknowledges that local officials have been barraged with questions and requests for marriage licenses. Gusciora says the email fails to offer direction, but does say towns, “cannot take applications for same sex marriages until you hear from this office that we have the authority to do so.”

“With three days to go before such an historic day, the only direction municipalities have received is an inarticulate email that says ‘we don’t know what we’re talking about, but don’t accept marriage applications from gay people,’” said Gusciora. “Whether the Supreme Court ultimately issues a stay before then is irrelevant because as of now Judge Jacobson’s order stands and the state should be complying with it and making all the necessary preparations."

According Gusciora, he just wants specific legal direction, but is getting silence from the administration, including the Attorney General’s Office and the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

He accuses the Christie Administration of stonewalling.