New Jersey's first same-sex marriage ceremony is performed in Asbury Park

Asbury Park officials say New Jersey law does not explicitly ban same-sex unions.

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(03/08/04) ASBURY PARK - In a short ceremony in front of about 10 people, Louis Navarrete and Ric Best became the first same-sex couple to be married in New Jersey. Asbury Park Deputy Mayor James Bruno performed the marriage Monday afternoon in City Hall.

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A spokeswoman for the Asbury Park city clerk says the couple paid $28 for a marriage license on Friday and waited the mandatory 72 hours. City officials claim New Jersey law does not explicitly ban same-sex unions. In a prepared statement, the city clerk said, "As a show of support to the city's gay community and the gay community nationwide, the City of Asbury Park has determined that it will commence the issuance of licenses to same-sex couples and the solemnization of marriage between same-sex couples, immediately, as a matter of fundamental civil and constitutional rights." Asbury Park officials say six other applications for same-sex weddings are pending.

Governor McGreevey (D-NJ) has asked the attorney general to determine whether city officials broke the law by issuing marriage licenses. McGreevey supports domestic partnership measures but not gay marriage. In January, the governor signed New Jersey's Domestic Partnership Act into law. The law recognizes same-sex unions, and starting this summer, domestic partners will gain access to medical benefits, insurance and other legal rights. The law does not, however, authorize gay marriage.