New Jersey Passes Civil Unions

Under pressure from New Jersey's highest court to offer marriage or its equivalent to same-sex couples, the state Legislature passed 56-19 a bill to allow civil unions. The legislation extends all the rights and privileges available under state law to married people to same-sex couples and makes NJ the third state with civil unions. Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he would sign the measure into law.

Massachusetts is the only state to allow same-sex marriage. Vermont and Connecticut have civil unions, and California has domestic partnerships that work similarly.

Among the benefits same-sex couples would get under New Jersey's civil unions bill are adoption, hospital visitation, and inheritance rights.