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Lambertville may hold first gay union |
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LAMBERTVILLE -- This town laden with antique shops and inns on the banks of the Delaware River has long been a place known for its friendliness to gay and lesbian couples.
That's one reason the mayor, David Del Vecchio, is preparing to officiate a civil union ceremony for a gay couple as soon as such unions become legal.
Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed a law last month making New Jersey the third state in the nation to offer civil unions, which give gay couples all the benefit and protections of marriage that the state can confer -- but not the title.
Del Vecchio said two women from his community -- he would not identify them -- are ready to exchange their vows at 12:01 a.m. the first day they can. Nathan Rudy, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Senior Services, said the earliest day would be Feb. 22. Couples can begin applying for civil licenses on Feb. 19, but, as with marriage licenses, there will be a 72-hour waiting period.
Del Vecchio said allowing civil unions is "the right thing to do." There's another reason to be first, though: Publicizing Lambertville as a destination for the ceremonies could bring business to the community.
A stroke-of-midnight civil union ceremony would ensure Lambertville is at least tied for being the first place in New Jersey to hold such a ceremony that's state-sanctioned. Ceremonies could happen simultaneously elsewhere.
Other towns known for being especially gay-friendly include South Orange, which opened City Hall at midnight on the day in 2004 when couples were first allowed to enter into domestic partnerships, and Asbury Park, where an official performed a wedding between two men before the state Attorney General declared that union invalid. Source: courierpostonline.com |
