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New Jersey State Court To Hear Oral Arguments Friday, June 27, in Lambda Legal's Case Seeking Full Marriage Rights for Same-Sex Couples

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"Canada this week has shown us what's possible — in New Jersey, we intend to make marriage a reality here at home."
June 19, 2003

(Trenton, New Jersey - Wednesday, June 18, 2003) A New Jersey state judge will hear oral arguments Friday, June 27, in a historic lawsuit seeking full marriage rights for same-sex couples, according to Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, which represents the seven New Jersey couples seeking marriage licenses.


“Canada this week has shown us what’s possible -- in New Jersey, we intend to make marriage a reality here at home,” said David Buckel, senior staff attorney at Lambda Legal and lead attorney on the case. “Our clients pay taxes in New Jersey, and they want full citizenship in New Jersey -- not in another state or another country.”

Lambda Legal filed its lawsuit in state court last summer, arguing that same-sex couples in New Jersey are being denied their rights under the state Constitution because they cannot marry. The seven couples named in the lawsuit live in various areas of New Jersey and have been together between 10 and 30 years. No state in the U.S. currently grants marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Earlier this year, the State of New Jersey asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that gay people are allowed to marry someone of the opposite sex just like anyone else and, therefore, do not suffer any discrimination. Lambda Legal fought that effort, and both sides will present arguments Friday, June 27, in Trenton. The judge in the case may issue a ruling from the bench, immediately following arguments. The case is Lewis, et. al. v. Harris, et. al. Gibbons, DelDeo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione is Lambda Legal’s cooperating attorney firm on the case.

What: Oral arguments in historic case seeking full marriage rights for same-sex couples in New Jersey Who: Lambda Legal’s lead attorney on the case, David Buckel, will argue the case; several of the plaintiffs in the case will be present When: Friday, June 27, 2003; 10:00 a.m. Where: Mercer County Courthouse; 175 South Broad St.; Trenton, NJ

Contact: Lisa Hardaway, 212/809-8585 ext. 266; pgr: 888-987-1971

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