TEANECK, NJ -- New Jersey today became the
third state in the US to offer civil unions for gay couples, offering
the legal benefits but not the title of marriage. By midday Monday, at
least 16 couples had registered for a civil union license.
Shortly
after midnight, Steven Goldstein and Daniel Gross chose to reaffirm
their Vermont civil union by renewing their vows in a midnight ceremony,
even though unions were granted automatically to the hundreds of gay New
Jersey couples who had previously been joined in civil unions or married
in other states or nations, AP reports.
Some town halls opened right after midnight to accept license
applications from couples who had not been joined previously. After a 72
hours waiting period, just like with weddings, the couples can hold
their civil union ceremonies.
Under the new civil unions law, gay couples gain the rights to adoption,
child custody, visiting a hospitalized partner and making medical
decisions. They also have the right to refuse to testify against a
partner in state court.
Shortly
after midnight, Steven Goldstein and Daniel Gross chose to reaffirm
their Vermont civil union by renewing their vows in a midnight ceremony,
even though unions were granted automatically to the hundreds of gay New
Jersey couples who had previously been joined in civil unions or married
in other states or nations, AP reports. 
The Hunk
