NJ Assembly passes bill to create civil unions

The Assembly met at 1 p.m. and the Senate met at 2.

However, gay rights groups are arguing that if the arrangement between the couple is not considered "marriage" then they are being treated inferior.

But social conservatives are asking lawmakers to take more time before making the civil unions bill, while other conservatives are saying that the bill is too similar to marriage between man and woman.

Against Gay Marriage: "I do believe that if civil union is passed then next step will be right to complete gay marriage."

Back on October 25th, the State Supreme court stopped short of legalizing same-sex marriage, and dumped the issue into the hands of New Jersey lawmakers.

To read the court's ruling, click here.

The court ordered lawmakers to rewrite the law, and either honor same-sex marriages or civil unions.

The ruling is similar to the ruling made in Vermont back in 1999, which entitles same-sex couples to have all the benefits of marriage.

There are about 20,000 gay and lesbian couples living in New Jersey.

For a look at the events leading up to today's New Jersey Supreme Court ruling, click here.

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