NEW YORK, NY December 21, 2006 —Civil unions become a reality in New Jersey today, as Governor Jon Corzine signs the landmark bill. It gives same sex unions the same legal standing as marriage, as long as the couples stay in New Jersey. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this report.

With a stroke of his pen New Jersey will join Vermont and Connecticut as the only states in the union to permit civil unions. Only Massachusetts grants same sex marriages. Back in 2OO4 New Jersey enacted it's Domestic Partnership Law which extended to same sex couples some of the legal protections enjoyed by married couples. But in October the state's highest court ruled that existing New Jersey laws were discriminatory and relegated same sex couples to a second class status.

Under New Jersey's new legislation any official, like a judge or mayor, eligible to perform a wedding will be able to help same sex couples say “I do.” The law takes effect in 6O days. For WNYC I’m Bob Hennelly.