Gay Marriage Licenses On Hold In Asbury Park
Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Among Couples Wanting To Marry
POSTED: 6:59 pm EST March 10,
2004
UPDATED: 11:44 am EST March 11,
2004
ASBURY PARK, N.J. -- New Jersey has won its battle to stop gay marriages -- at least for now.The first same-sex marriage in state's history happened Monday. Since then, dozens of other couples have applied for marriage licenses. The marriage took place in Asbury Park in Monmouth County.
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However, on Wednesday, town officials said there would be no more gay marriages or licenses given out until the courts settle the thorny issue.
As the Asbury Park City Council met in an emergency session behind closed doors Wednesday morning, gay couples continued to come in the front door of City Hall in hopes of getting a marriage license."Yesterday, I hollered up the steps (to my partner). I said, 'You want to go get married?' He goes, 'Absolutely,'" said Gary Nehls.
Nehls and his partner -- who already wear wedding bands -- drove from Pittsburgh Wednesday to apply for a license. They didn't get the chance.The state's attorney general sent a letter to Asbury Park and other New Jersey communities to inform them that same-sex marriages are illegal. In the wake of that letter, Asbury Park's city council ordered a halt to more licenses to gay couples."Any marriage licenses which have been received by the city from Monday March 8 to the present time will be returned as denied," said Frederick Raffetto, the Asbury Park city attorney.Richard Clayton and Ron Fleckenstein are among the couples whose applications will be denied."Everybody is, 'Oh, it's only a piece of paper.' Yeh, it's a piece of paper that has a whole other definition than domestic partnership," Clayton explained.
Another couple who was turned away from applying for a license was Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Gail Shister (pictured, left) and her partner, Penny Jeannechild."For me, aside from being a statement, it's also very important in terms of benefits, because we are missing a lot of basic things that heterosexuals have when they get married," Shister explained."I want that piece of paper. I want the rights that come with that piece of paper," Jeannechild said."I happen to believe that separate does not equal, equal. It's not the same thing. I refuse to be a second-class citizen," Shister told NBC 10 News.The city is filing a lawsuit to be paid for with private funds. The lawsuit asks for a declaration of judgment. The declaration asks the courts to look at their case.Asbury Park still thinks that it is in the right and wants to continue allowing same-sex marriages, but it won't do so unless the courts Ok it.
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As the Asbury Park City Council met in an emergency session behind closed doors Wednesday morning, gay couples continued to come in the front door of City Hall in hopes of getting a marriage license."Yesterday, I hollered up the steps (to my partner). I said, 'You want to go get married?' He goes, 'Absolutely,'" said Gary Nehls.
Nehls and his partner -- who already wear wedding bands -- drove from Pittsburgh Wednesday to apply for a license. They didn't get the chance.The state's attorney general sent a letter to Asbury Park and other New Jersey communities to inform them that same-sex marriages are illegal. In the wake of that letter, Asbury Park's city council ordered a halt to more licenses to gay couples."Any marriage licenses which have been received by the city from Monday March 8 to the present time will be returned as denied," said Frederick Raffetto, the Asbury Park city attorney.Richard Clayton and Ron Fleckenstein are among the couples whose applications will be denied."Everybody is, 'Oh, it's only a piece of paper.' Yeh, it's a piece of paper that has a whole other definition than domestic partnership," Clayton explained.Another couple who was turned away from applying for a license was Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Gail Shister (pictured, left) and her partner, Penny Jeannechild."For me, aside from being a statement, it's also very important in terms of benefits, because we are missing a lot of basic things that heterosexuals have when they get married," Shister explained."I want that piece of paper. I want the rights that come with that piece of paper," Jeannechild said."I happen to believe that separate does not equal, equal. It's not the same thing. I refuse to be a second-class citizen," Shister told NBC 10 News.The city is filing a lawsuit to be paid for with private funds. The lawsuit asks for a declaration of judgment. The declaration asks the courts to look at their case.Asbury Park still thinks that it is in the right and wants to continue allowing same-sex marriages, but it won't do so unless the courts Ok it.Copyright 2004 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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