As previously reported, the Supreme Court of New Jersey unanimously ruled on Friday to uphold a lower court order that mandated officials to allow same-sex “marriages” to be performed and recognized in the state. Ceremonies were then hurriedly organized for Monday, the day that the court set for nuptials to begin.
Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who was recently elected to the United States Senate, told reporters that he was making himself available to officiate ceremonies at city hall when the clock struck midnight on Monday.
Booker is a professing Christian and attends Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, but states that “God’s truth might lie also in other faiths.” Throughout his campaign for the Senate, he was known for his outspoken advocacy of homosexuality and abortion, and has refused for years to perform any marriages in the state until New Jersey allowed homosexuals to also tie the knot.
“For more than seven years, Mayor Booker has refused all requests to officiate New Jersey marriages because gay couples have been denied that equal right,” spokesman James Allen told reporters. “After today’s wonderful news [from the state Supreme Court], Mayor Booker is excited to marry both straight and gay couples in city hall on Monday morning beginning at 12:01 a.m.”
Shortly before midnight this morning, approximately 150 people gathered at Newark City Hall to either witness or participate in a ceremony. Seven Christians stood outside of the event preaching the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, calling Booker and the residents of New Jersey to repentance.
Mark de Rouville of Tom’s River decided to go inside city hall as a witness to the ceremonies. At 12:01 a.m., Booker opened the gathering, announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is officially past midnight. Marriage is now equal in New Jersey!”
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