New Jersey becomes14th U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage

2013-10-19 219

New Jersey's top court denied Governor Christ Christie's request to put a hold on gay marriage, while the state's appeal is being heard.

Dozens of same-sex marriage advocates celebrated the news Friday.

On Monday, same sex couples here will be allowed to legally tie the knot, making New Jersey the 14th state in the United States to allow same sex-sex marriage, in addition to the District of Columbia.

Marsha Shapiro tells Reuters her story:

"We've been wanting to get married for a long time. We have been together over 24 years, we were religiously married over 21 years ago. We have four children and four grandchildren and another one on the way. It's time that we get married."

But same sex marriage is much more than just a piece of paper for Rich Kiamco:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) RICH KIAMCO (PRONOUNCED KEMCO), STAND-UP COMEDIAN AND JERSEY CITY RESIDENT, SAYING:

"This act, getting this piece of paper and having this ceremony at midnight, I mean it's