I always knew that a one-state-at-a-time change in the marriage laws would be a recipe for full employment for domestic relations lawyers. I'm not at all sure that this NJ decision will last for procedural reasons. On the other hand, civil unions do not give the partners the benefits that marriage gives. Now that key provisions of DOMA have fallen, there is an actual benefit to marriage (as opposed to civil unions). The best solution is probably to declare civil unions as a form of proto-marriage and therefore to eliminate civil unions in favor of marriage.
For folks waiting to marry till your own state allows same sex marriage, I recommend not waiting any longer. Now that DOMA has fallen, federal benefits will become available to same sex couples, but ONLY if they're married. (That's what has happened with federal employees). A resident of Northern Virginia therefore can't afford to wait till marriage equality comes to Virginia -- in the 24th century. Instead, I strongly recommend that Virginia couples cross the river to DC or Maryland and marry legally.
I realize that this is unfair, but it's better than standing on principle and losing benefits.
You alone can make my song take flight.
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