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Chris Christie drops legal efforts against same-sex marriage in New Jersey Chris Christie drops legal efforts against same-sex marriage in New Jersey
(about 5 hours later)
Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, on Monday dropped his legal efforts to block same-sex marriage in the state, hours after the first couples took advantage of a court ruling that allowed gay weddings to begin at 12.01am.Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, on Monday dropped his legal efforts to block same-sex marriage in the state, hours after the first couples took advantage of a court ruling that allowed gay weddings to begin at 12.01am.
The governor’s office confirmed on Monday morning that it had submitted a formal withdrawal to the state supreme court. Last month, a lower-court judge ruled that the state must recognise gay marriages from Monday, making in the 14th state in the US to do so. The governor’s office confirmed on Monday morning that it had submitted a formal withdrawal to the state supreme court. Last month, a lower-court judge ruled that the state must recognise gay marriages from Monday, making in the 14th state in the US to do so. 
Christie's administration said the governor strongly disagreed with the court substituting "its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people". But he said the supreme court was clearly going to favour same-sex marriage and that he had a constitutional duty to enforce the law. Earlier, the mayor of Newark, Cory Booker, officiated at seven same-sex marriages in a hastily arranged midnight ceremony, after the state supreme court on Friday rejected Christie’s request to maintain the ban pending an appeal. Christie's administration said the governor strongly disagreed with the court substituting "its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people". But he said the state supreme court was clearly going to favour same-sex marriage and that he had a constitutional duty to enforce the law. 
Booker described his role at the ceremonies, which will be one of his last public acts in office, as "one of the greatest privileges" of his life. The mayor, who rose to national renown through savvy use of social media and a penchant for heroic acts, was elected to the US Senate last week. He will be sworn in later this month. On Friday, the New Jersey supreme court rejected Christie’s request to maintain the ban on same-sex marriage pending an appeal. The court held that weddings should be allowed to take place from Monday because the governor's appeal was likely to fail.
The first ceremonies began at the moment they were legal. In Newark, the mayor Cory Booker, officiated at seven same-sex marriages in a hastily arranged night-time ceremony. Booker described his role at the ceremonies, which will be one of his last public acts in office, as "one of the greatest privileges" of his life. The mayor, who rose to national renown through savvy use of social media and a penchant for heroic acts, was elected to the US Senate last week. He will be sworn in later this month.
"It is officially past midnight. Marriage is now equal in New Jersey," Booker announced at 12.01am. An assembled crowd of activists and soon-to-be newlyweds cheered."It is officially past midnight. Marriage is now equal in New Jersey," Booker announced at 12.01am. An assembled crowd of activists and soon-to-be newlyweds cheered.
The first to be married were Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell, both 65, who met in a New York bar 15 years ago. "Do you wish to join in marriage?" Booker asked Panessidi and Bell, who answered in the affirmative. "And I wish to join you," Booker said. "Not in the marriage," he added quickly, as laughter flowed up toward the ornate ceiling of City Hall.The first to be married were Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell, both 65, who met in a New York bar 15 years ago. "Do you wish to join in marriage?" Booker asked Panessidi and Bell, who answered in the affirmative. "And I wish to join you," Booker said. "Not in the marriage," he added quickly, as laughter flowed up toward the ornate ceiling of City Hall.
Midnight ceremonies were held across the state, despite the lack of clear legal guidance. New Jersey authorities had not issued guidance to city clerks after Friday's court ruling, but some acted on their own initiative. Couples wishing to get married on Monday had to find a judge willing to waive the state's 72-hour waiting period which usually applies between getting a licence and holding a ceremony, and a clerk prepared to officiate.Midnight ceremonies were held across the state, despite the lack of clear legal guidance. New Jersey authorities had not issued guidance to city clerks after Friday's court ruling, but some acted on their own initiative. Couples wishing to get married on Monday had to find a judge willing to waive the state's 72-hour waiting period which usually applies between getting a licence and holding a ceremony, and a clerk prepared to officiate.
A momentary shadow was cast over the Newark ceremony when Booker asked the crowd to speak if they knew of any "substantive reason" why Panessidi and Bell should not be wed. "This is unlawful in the eyes of God," shouted an earnest-looking man wearing a beige jacket. He continued to shout as he was escorted out by police. "The Bible says that 'he that lieth with a man as he does with a woman, it's an abomination in the eyes of the Lord'," the man, 24-year-old Mark de Rouville, told the Guardian afterwards.A momentary shadow was cast over the Newark ceremony when Booker asked the crowd to speak if they knew of any "substantive reason" why Panessidi and Bell should not be wed. "This is unlawful in the eyes of God," shouted an earnest-looking man wearing a beige jacket. He continued to shout as he was escorted out by police. "The Bible says that 'he that lieth with a man as he does with a woman, it's an abomination in the eyes of the Lord'," the man, 24-year-old Mark de Rouville, told the Guardian afterwards.
Booker ruled that he had not heard "any substantive reason" in the protester's message. He continued rattling through the ceremonies until all were wed.Booker ruled that he had not heard "any substantive reason" in the protester's message. He continued rattling through the ceremonies until all were wed.
"We feel that it's clear now," Panessidi said afterwards, as guests drank champagne, ate cake and danced to Diana Ross's 1980 hit I'm Coming Out. "You can't misunderstand what our relationship is. It can't be dismissed or refuted by anyone.""We feel that it's clear now," Panessidi said afterwards, as guests drank champagne, ate cake and danced to Diana Ross's 1980 hit I'm Coming Out. "You can't misunderstand what our relationship is. It can't be dismissed or refuted by anyone."
Bell, a former teacher, said he and Panessidi were old enough to have "seen monumental events" over their lifetimes. "And this is a monumental event," he said.Bell, a former teacher, said he and Panessidi were old enough to have "seen monumental events" over their lifetimes. "And this is a monumental event," he said.
Gabriela Celeiro, 34, and Liz Salerno, 38, were the fourth couple to be married by the soon-to-be ex-mayor and praised him for his support. The couple met in New York five years ago, they said.Gabriela Celeiro, 34, and Liz Salerno, 38, were the fourth couple to be married by the soon-to-be ex-mayor and praised him for his support. The couple met in New York five years ago, they said.
"It was love the minute we got this close to each other," Salerno said, using her hands to approximate a distance of about six inches. "We could not separate at that point. We just had to be together.""It was love the minute we got this close to each other," Salerno said, using her hands to approximate a distance of about six inches. "We could not separate at that point. We just had to be together."
Salerno said it felt different to be married. "I feel like I'm an actual human being, and I'm respected to the same level as others are. There's still going to be challenges. Not everyone wants to see us together and let us be together, but at least when you have the leaders of a state, that trickles down and makes it more acceptable."Salerno said it felt different to be married. "I feel like I'm an actual human being, and I'm respected to the same level as others are. There's still going to be challenges. Not everyone wants to see us together and let us be together, but at least when you have the leaders of a state, that trickles down and makes it more acceptable."
As well as a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the nine newlyweds, the Newark ceremony afforded New Jersey Democrats an opportunity to underline Christie's opposition to same-sex marriage ahead of next month's gubernatorial election. While Christie is odds on to be re-elected for a second term – a Quinnipiac poll on Thursday showed him leading the Democratic candidate, Barbara Buono, by 62% to 33% – the greater prize for Democrats is to highlight the New Jersey governor's conservative stance on social issues ahead of his rumoured 2016 presidential bid.As well as a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the nine newlyweds, the Newark ceremony afforded New Jersey Democrats an opportunity to underline Christie's opposition to same-sex marriage ahead of next month's gubernatorial election. While Christie is odds on to be re-elected for a second term – a Quinnipiac poll on Thursday showed him leading the Democratic candidate, Barbara Buono, by 62% to 33% – the greater prize for Democrats is to highlight the New Jersey governor's conservative stance on social issues ahead of his rumoured 2016 presidential bid.
Until the court ruling provided him with a way out, Christie had been forced to walk a tightrope on the issue, with his opposition to gay marriage essential to make it through the ultra-conservative Republican primary process but increasingly toxic nationally. A Gallup poll in July found that 55% of Americans support gay marriage, with 40% opposed.Until the court ruling provided him with a way out, Christie had been forced to walk a tightrope on the issue, with his opposition to gay marriage essential to make it through the ultra-conservative Republican primary process but increasingly toxic nationally. A Gallup poll in July found that 55% of Americans support gay marriage, with 40% opposed.
The Associated Press contributed to this reportThe Associated Press contributed to this report
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