New Jersey Becomes 14th State To Allow Same-Sex Couples To Marry
By Jenn Bernstein and Pat Ciarrocchi
LAMBERTVILLE, NJ (CBS) -- After 27 years together, Beth Asaro and Joanne Schailey were officially married in front of close friends and family in Lambertville, New Jersey at midnight on Monday.
Right after the ceremony, Beth said, "It feels good."
Joanne added, "We'll sleep better tonight!"
They were the first couple to enter into a civil union in the state back in 2007, and early this morning, they made history once again, becoming the first same-sex couple to wed in New Jersey.
"When I go to bed tonight, I don't have to worry about the living will and the powers of attorney, and do I have everything dotted and crossed. I'm equal," said Beth.
The couple had just two days to plan their wedding.
On Friday, the State Supreme Court denied a motion to put same sex marriages on hold, which made Monday the first time same-sex marriages are legal in New Jersey.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he disagrees with the ruling but will comply.
His office said in a statement, "The Supreme Court has made its determination. While the Governor firmly believes that this determination should be made by all the people of the State of New Jersey, he has instructed the Department of Health to cooperate with all municipalities in effectuating the order of the Superior Court under the applicable law."
Cherry Hill also made history by marrying four couples on Monday afternoon.
Those couples will now receive benefits and protections, but they say they always knew they had the love.
Renai Hall says, "We know what we have. We know what we've always had, but we need the legal protections everybody else gets."
Her wife, Rose Papa says, "I just never understood how loving somebody and being committed to somebody could be wrong in people's eyes."
Now that Rose and Renai are finally legally married, they say they are completely overwhelmed with happiness.
