New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the state’s Division on Civil Rights announced this week that violation notices have been issued to 28 municipalities across the state for allegedly violating the Law Against Discrimination by publishing marriage license applications on their websites that exclude certain LGBTQIA+ individuals.

According to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office, the municipalities in question have posted marriage license forms that do not permit nonbinary individuals to apply for marriage licenses unless they misgender themselves by only offering “m” (male) or “f” (female). Such practice is inconsistent with the marriage license application currently published by the New Jersey Department of Health, which offers a third option for nonbinary, undesignated or unspecified gender identities.

“Marriage equality is not just the law. It is a fundamental right,” Platkin said. “The marriage equality enforcement actions we are announcing today reflect our continued commitment to ensuring that municipal governments do not discriminate against couples seeking marriage licenses on the basis of their gender, gender identity, or gender expression.”

The DCR issued the violations to Audubon, Carney’s Point, Chester Township, Commercial, Delran, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Hi-Nella, Lopatcong, Lumberton, Manasquan, Milltown, Morris Plains, Morristown, Ocean Gate, Oceanport, Old Bridge, Pemberton, Pennsauken, Pohatcong, Raritan Borough, Stockton, Sussex Borough, Vineland, West Cape May, Westhampton, Westville, and Woodlynne.

“The law in New Jersey is crystal clear: No one can be denied the fundamental right to marry based on their gender identity,” DCR Director Sundeep Iyer said. “Municipalities have an obligation to ensure that they are not excluding LGBTQIA+ individuals from applying for marriage licenses. Today’s enforcement actions underscore our ongoing commitment to ensuring that marriage equality remains a reality for our state’s LGBTQIA+ residents.”

The issued violations stated that the exclusionary gender options on the form are a violation of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, according to the press release. The LAD prohibits a place of public accommodation from discrimination on the basis of real or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, and makes it unlawful to post communications or notices that indicate any offerings are unavailable based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]

Law.com Pro

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
New Jersey Legal Awards 2024
October 29, 2024
East Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey Law Journal honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in New Jersey with their dedication to the profession.


Learn More
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Associate

We re a Business Law firm looking to hire an experienced Associate Attorney for our litigation and transactional practices. We have offices ...


Apply Now ›
Deputy District Attorney I/II/III

Salary: $81,785.60 - $131,414.40 Annually Description: The Deputy District Attorney I/II/III performs a variety of professional legal wor...


Apply Now ›
Senior Attorney - Employment and Labor- New York

NEW YORK CITY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY Invites applications for the position of:Senior Attorney - Employment and LaborThe New York ...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements