CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR JERSEY GAYS

Its official, New Jersey's governor signed legislation today giving same-sex couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage allowed under state law, except the title.

When the law goes into effect February 19th, New Jersey will will become the third state offering civil unions to same-sex couples and the fifth allowing some version of marriage. Currently Connecticut and Vermont also offer civil unions for same-sex couples, while Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry, and California has domestic partnerships. New York better wake up or an awful lot of disposable incomes might start crossing the Hudson.

For anyone who is wondering why gaining these rights are so important, here is what Civil Unions and Marriages provide to the two people:

"The civil unions law grants same-sex couples adoption, inheritance, hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights and the right not to testify against a partner in state court."