Marriage Equality Ruling Is Personal for Some in Hopatcong

Late Friday afternoon, a judge ruled New Jersey's civil union law denies federal benefits to same-sex couples and is unconstitutional, which means the Garden State must allow gay couples to marry under law starting Oct. 21. That news is hitting some Hopatcong residents right in the heart.

Gov. Chris Christie, who vetoed  the legislature's passage of a marriage equality bill in 2011, has announced he will appeal the ruling.

But Hopatcong-Sparta Patch's Facebook page shows people aren't expressing that—most are celebrating.

"Awesome!" exulted Heather Wiener.

"Love is love no matter what," posted Kimberly Mcmullen, her punctuation preserved. "2 girls 2 guys 1 guy and 1 girl, its doesnt matter love is love."

Jim Chafee posted a view many hold.

"I think the government should keep its nose out of personal lives period and it shouldn't be necessary for them to 'grant' people the 'right' to love who they choose as long as they are consenting adults," he wrote.

The ruling is not good news for some residents, and they spoke out on our Facebook page.

Karl Schuetz did not mince words, saying only that the judge's decision left him "[p]issed off!"

"Its a mockery of traditional marriage," wrote James Furman. "Gay couples should have the same rights as straight couples but to call it marriage is a slap in the face of those with religious beliefs, who believe marriage is between a man and woman. I think it's rude and offensive to those who have been raised by traditional families who have Christian values. Im not going to cheer for either side."

Tabitha Tediashvili posted that she was disappointed.

"[D]on't believe in gay rights," she wrote.

"It's not gay rights, it's human rights and we are all entitled to the same rights," Tammy Garrison rebutted. "It wasn't until relatively recently that interracial marriage was illegal."

For many speaking out on the Hop-Spar Patch page, the ruling is deeply, intensely personal.

"I am now an equal citizen in the state I grew up and reside in," Craig James Patruno stated. "I am a proud gay American and Hopatcong resident."


"Amazing to finally be equal!," said Amanda Castro.


"I think it will be nice to finally be able to marry my partner of four years," wrote Sarah Best.


Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson backed the case of a group of same-sex couples and gay rights groups who sued New Jersey after the U.S. Supreme Court in July struck down key parts of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

"The ineligibility of same-sex couples for federal benefits is currently harming same-sex couples in New Jersey in a wide range of contexts," the judge said in her opinion, referring to tax code and issues such as the federal Family Medical Leave Act and full faith and credit.

What is your opinion? Share your views with your neighbors (please be respectful). And if this affects you directly, tell us your story either in the comments or via a blog post!