A New Jersey judge on Thursday denied a request by Governor Chris Christie to delay gay marriages as his administration plans to appeal the issue in the state's Supreme Court, the Star Ledger reported.
After the denial, the adminitration immediately asked for the same delay from the Appellate Division, according to the Attorney General's Office. It is unknown of they will consider it.
Last month, Judge Mary Jacobson ruled gay couples were being denied of equal rights and should be allowed to marry, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act.
In the 17-page decision issued, Jacobson wrote that allowing gay marriages to go through would not cause any harm to the state and suggested Christie would be unsuccessful in an appeal.
"The 'harm' (the state) alleges simply cannot justify depriving plaintiffs and other same-sex couples of equality in the form of access to important federal marital benefits," the judge wrote.
Gay marriage advocates commended Jacobson's decision.
"This is a historic moment for all loving and committed couples in New Jersey," said Mike Premo, campaign manager of New Jersey United for Marriage. "The fact that those who have waited so long for this moment can get married in just 11 days is truly amazing and something to be celebrated."
Anti-gay marriage advocates said they were disappointed.
"You don't want to wind up with the situation that happened in California," said John Tomicki, president of New Jersey Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage. "First there were same-gender marriages. Then there weren't. Then there were. You want to find some logical consistency."
Christie has not commented on Jacobson's denial. Earlier this week, Christie defended his stance on gay marriage in a debate with Democratic candidate Barbara Buono in the race for governor.
"I believe that the institution of marriage for 2,000 years is between a man and a woman, and if they're going to change that definition of marriage, I don't think that should be decided by 121 politicians in Trenton or nine judges on the Supreme Court," Christie said.
