American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
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The fact that individuals define themselves in a significant way through their intimate sexual relationships with others suggests, in a Nation as diverse as ours, that there may be many right ways of conducting those relationships, and that much of the richness of a relationship will come from the freedom an individual has to choose the form and nature of these intensely personal bonds.—Justice Harry A. Blackmun, dissenting in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986)
The struggle for legal equality for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people rests on several fundamental constitutional principles. Equal protection of the law is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Freedom of speech and association, including the right to form social and political organizations, to socialize, to produce works of art with gay and lesbian themes, and to speak out, is guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Relationship Equality
- It's Prom Season ... Know Your Rights! (2010)
- Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples Becomes Law in N.J. (2007)
- ACLU-NJ Makes Case for Marriage Equality Over Civil Unions (2006)
- Act Now to Support Domestic Partnership (2004)
Legal Cases
- Lewis v. Harris
- Paster v. O.G.C.M.A.
Same-sex couple prohibited from using boardwalk pavilion for their civil union ceremony.
- Rogers & Christopher v. NOBLE
- L.W. v. Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education
- ACLU-NJ Defends Student's Right to Free Speech
- Lewis, et al. v. Harris, et al.
Supporting suit challenging New Jersey civil unions as creating a system that perpetuates disparity in the rights of LGBT couples versus married heterosexual couples.
- In the Matter of Child to Be Born to Kimberly Robinson
- In the Matter of N.C.
- A.B. v. S.E.W.
- AAUP v. Rutgers University
Op-Eds
- Gay Marriage in N.J. (2009)
- Corzine on My Mind (2009)
- Sometimes a Kiss Is Not Just a Kiss (2007)
- Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are (2004)
Newsletter Articles
- ACLU Member Leading Charge for DP Benefits (2000)
- Legislators Launch Strike on Same-Gender Marriage (1996)
Archives
Can't find what you are looking for? Look in our Gay & Lesbian Rights Archives.
Tell Trenton to Get it Right on Marriage
Marriage is the ultimate expression of love. Let’s make New Jersey the 7th state to recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. More »
Laughter & Liberties
Visit our cartoon page to take a lighthearted look at the serious business of civil liberties. More »
Department of Justice: We Need Your Help
On September 9, 2010, the ACLU-NJ filed a petition asking the DOJ to provide federal oversight of the troubled Newark Police Department. The petition outlined more than 400 cases of misconduct and abuse by police. More »
Become a Face of the ACLU-NJ
All of us are faces of the ACLU of New Jersey. Each of us has a story to tell. Share yours with us today. More »
Latest @ACLUNJ Tweets
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good luck! RT: @ACLUFL Just finished oral arguments in our case challenging @FlGovScott's #drugtesting order. #staytuned #sayfie
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