New Jersey Court OKs Gay Marriage

Not even Chris Christie could block gay couples from reaching the altar. The state Supreme Court in New Jersey ruled 7-0 today to uphold a judge's decision that gay marriages can begin there on Monday, at least for now, NJ.com reports. The court will make a final ruling next year. "The state has advanced a number of arguments, but none of them overcome this reality: Same-sex couples who cannot marry are not treated equally under the law today," the court ruled, reports the AP. "The harm to them is real, not abstract or speculative."

In September, a state superior court judge ruled that New Jersey's same-sex couples were losing out on federal benefits and equal rights since the US struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. Gov. Christie appealed, saying gay marriage should only be allowed by public vote. He also accused the Obama administration of denying rights to same-sex couples by not extending them to civil unions, which are considered equal in New Jersey. USA Today notes that with today's ruling, 13 states have recognized gay marriage. (More gay marriage stories.)