WASHINGTON - Today New Jersey Governor Chris Christie instructed his Attorney General to withdraw the state's appeal of a court decision bringing marriage equality to the Garden State.  This action makes New Jersey the 14th state in the nation, as well as the District of Columbia, where lesbian and gay couples can marry.  Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin issued the following statement:

“Governor Christie did the right thing in not standing in the way of loving couples’ ability to make lifelong commitments to each other through marriage.  Civil Unions have never been full equality and as the state court system has said, denying marriage to lesbian and gay couples does real harm to them and their families. Breaking down this dark wall of discrimination in New Jersey helps build momentum as we continue to expand the marriage equality map so that one day soon a state border will not dictate whether a loving couple can share in the joys of marriage."

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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