width="150" />The New Jersey Supreme Court took a step toward marriage equality, ruling unanimously that same-sex couples deserve the same rights as other couples.

"Times and attitudes have changed," the court wrote, adding, "discrimination against gays and lesbians is no longer acceptable in this state." Click here to read the court's ruling in a new window (pdf).

The court stopped short of granting gay couples the right to marry.

As in New Jersey, California courts have considered discriminatory laws aimed at preventing same-sex marriage. A divided appeals court ruled against marriage equality in October, and the ACLU California affiliates and civil rights groups have appealed the case to the state Supreme Court. Both states have domestic partner laws that attempt to mimic marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The New Jersey court noted that the state's domestic partnership law has "failed to bridge the inequality gap between committed same-sex couples and married opposite-sex couples." The state legislature has 180 days to decide how to give couples equal rights, for instance by extending marriage or by passing a "civil union" law, as Vermont did in 2000.

While the ACLU applauded the decision, it believes only marriage rights will guarantee full equal treatment for same-sex couples. Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have established marriage equality.

New Jersey Chief Justice Deborah Poritz concurred with the decision but wrote in a dissent that by refusing to give same-sex couples the right to marry, the court sends the message that "what same-sex couples have is not as important or as significant as 'real' marriage."

"We must not underestimate the power of language," she warned.

Photo by Kara Korbel Chinula

Proposition 85 is a dangerous and misleading initiative that threatens the health and safety of California's most vulnerable teens and a woman's right to choose.

Help us spread the word to other voters about the dangers of Proposition 85 by joining us on weekend canvasses and daily phonebanking. With just days to go until the Nov. 7 election, voter-to-voter contact is how we will win this fight. Click here to get involved online now.

Two weeks after an intimidating letter went out to Orange County Latinos, California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson urged them to "ignore that letter." "It was unauthorized and inaccurate," McPherson wrote to the 14,000 residents who received the letter.

The ACLU/SC just days before asked McPherson and Orange County election officials to correct the claims that immigrants who voted could face jail time and deportation. The Orange County Board of Supervisors condemned the letter but refused to join McPherson in alerting affected voters.

"We are pleased the secretary of state took this seriously," said ACLU/SC Orange County director Hector Villagra. "Threats to voters undermine our democracy, and those officials entrusted with ensuring fair elections must take strong steps to counter these tactics."

A Santa Ana resident who received the mailer told the Los Angeles Times he disagreed with Orange County leaders' decision. "It needs to come from the person who says, 'You can vote here in this county,' " said Ruben Alvarez.

In a letter to the ACLU/SC, McPherson wrote, "Any attempt to intimidate voters is unacceptable."

McPherson worked with the National Council of La Raza, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials to correct the letter.