New Jersey, Marriage, Rights, and Effects

Like you didn’t see this one coming… Since the New Jersey Supreme Court clearly (and correctly) stated that it found no fundamental right to gay marriage, it is rather curious that the Court would still demand that same sex couples be included in existing marriage laws or be given the same benefits as married couples through new legislation. If there is no fundamental right, how can the Court force the legislature to create a special statutory right that includes marriage benefits? Make no mistake; the New Jersey Supreme Court is indeed an activist court. While it may technically sidestep violating … Continue reading

States Banning Same-Sex Marriage

A hot topic in Idaho, where I live, and many other states around the country is the issue of same-sex marriages. Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee are voting on state amendments banning same-sex marriage this year and 5 other states are expected to follow suit. A total of 19 states have now banned same-sex marriages by adding amendments to their state constitutions. These states include: Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. Although all of these states had laws against same-sex marriage they … Continue reading