Same-sex weddings begin in New Jersey

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. Gay couples exchanged vows in early morning ceremonies in several New Jersey communities Monday as the state began recognizing their marriages at 12:01 a.m., becoming the 14th state to do so.

The hastily planned first weddings to legally unite long-time couples were planned for a state Senator's grand home in Elizabeth, the boardwalk in Asbury Park and government buildings in small towns and big cities.

The morning after the first same-sex weddings, Gov. Chris Christie dropped his appeal against legalized same-sex marriages in New Jersey.

In an email, the governor's office says it submitted a formal withdrawal to the state Supreme Court Monday morning.

Last month, a lower-court judge ruled that New Jersey must recognize gay marriages starting Monday.

The Republican governor, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, had been asking the state's top court to overturn that ruling. But he announced Monday he was dropping the appeal.

In the arts community of Lambertville, Mayor David DelVecchio led the ceremony to marry Beth Asaro and Joanne Schailey. He also presided when they joined in a civil union the minute such unions became recognized in the state in February 2007.

Soon after they cut the cake, DelVecchio handed Asaro a pink marriage license. "We're floating on air," she said. Added Schailey, "It's like winning the Super Bowl."

The couple, both wearing suits, hosted a reception attended by friends, family and several politicians. The song "In the Mood" played.

Asaro, a member of the city council in Lambertville, said they wanted to get married at the first moment, in part, to promote the gay-friendliness of their community north of Trenton.

"This shows to the world that Lambertville is open for business," DelVecchio said.

In Newark, Mayor Cory Booker was marrying the first of several couples when someone attempted to disrupt the ceremony.

Booker had asked if anyone had reason to object to the marriage and a protester screamed "This is unlawful in the eyes of God and Jesus Christ."

Booker, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last week, called for the person to be removed and police dragged him out.

As Booker continued speaking, "...not hearing any substantive and worthy objections," thunderous applause erupted.

Louise Walpin and Marsha Shapiro were set to be among the first to exchange their vows, in Elizabeth, N.J., reports CBS New York station WCBS-TV.

Shapiro said she and her wife were "exhilarated, ecstatic and excited."

The weddings came amid a flurry of legal activity after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the federal government should recognize same-sex marriages and confer couples with the same benefits that it does for heterosexual married couples, including joint tax filings, the right to live together in government-funded nursing homes and Social Security survivor benefits.

A state judge last month agreed with advocates who said that, by allowing civil unions but not marriage, New Jersey was keeping gay couples in the state from legal equality.

The administration of Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and possible 2016 presidential candidate, had appealed both the ruling and Monday's implementation date to the state Supreme Court.

And on Friday, less than 60 hours before the weddings were to begin, the state's top court refused to delay them while it sorts out the overall case.

State Sen. Ray Lesniak said late Sunday he believes there are enough votes to override Christie's same-sex marriage veto in the Senate and that he expects a vote after the Nov. 5 election.

"Though we are 99 percent sure based on the unanimous opinion against the stay that the Supreme Court will uphold marriage equality, we'd like to be 100 percent sure," Lesniak said.

Many of the people who have long fought for the right for gay couples to marry had been bracing for a delay, even while they were optimistic the state's top court would ultimately force New Jersey to recognize same-sex marriage.

For the first couples to tie the knot legally, it was a weekend of fast wedding planning and confusion.

Some towns began taking applications for same-sex marriage licenses on Thursday and continued even after the state government told them not to until there was clarity from the courts.

Other towns refused to grant licenses even after the state Health Department said Friday evening that towns should accept the applications.

It's expected that a rush of weddings will continue in coming days as couples are able to get licenses.