American Foundation for Equal Rights

New Jersey Defends Freedom to Marry for All

On the Heels of Ninth Circuit Victory, AFER Congratulates New Jersey on Passage of Marriage Equality Legislation

Los Angeles, CA – The New Jersey Legislature passed marriage equality legislation today, joining the State of Washington as the second state in recent days to defend the fundamental freedom to marry for all of its citizens.

One week ago, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a landmark ruling upholding the historic August 2010 decision of the Federal District Court that found California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) Board President Chad Griffin issued the following statement:

“New Jersey has taken a momentous step in defending the fundamental constitutional freedom to marry for all Americans.  Separate is never equal—and the New Jersey Legislature recognized that today, setting an important example for the rest of the nation.”

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About the American Foundation for Equal Rights

The American Foundation for Equal Rights is the sole sponsor of the Perry case. After bringing together Theodore B. Olson and David Boies to lead its legal team, AFER successfully advanced the Perry case through Federal District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Foundation is committed to achieving full federal marriage equality. www.afer.org