From It's marriage, just not by name (NorthJersey.com):
…The unequal dispensation of rights and benefits to committed same-sex partners can no longer be tolerated…

– New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry T. Albin

On Wednesday the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision that the State of New Jersey must ensure that gay partnerships have the same rights and benefits as heterosexual marriages, but did not rule in favor of amending the state marriage laws to include gay marriage.  In essence, the Jersey Supreme Court has gone the “separate-but-equal” route, and left the final question up to the legislature.

From It's marriage, just not by name (NorthJersey.com):
…state lawmakers who must assess whether the Garden State is ready to allow gay couples to be called married.

“Although courts can ensure equal treatment, they cannot guarantee social acceptance,” wrote Justice Barry T. Albin in the majority opinion.

The Legislature has 180 days to decide on the same-sex issue. The state high court ruling is similar to Vermont's decision to allow civil unions. That case, however, did not designate a deadline for legislative action.

The court unanimously decided to grant equal benefits to gay couples through civil unions, arguing that not doing so violates the state's equal protection guarantees…

…The three dissenting justices, including retiring Chief Justice Deborah Poritz, argued that gay couples should be allowed to actually marry…

I figure the New Jersey legislature will attempt to take the safer, civil-union route, rather than step up to the bar and just let gay couples marry.  But, maybe not.  It is one of only 5 states in our shameful nation that don't have a constitutional amendment or law banning gay marriage.  Perhaps they'll surprise me and do what is right instead of what is popular.

Needless to say, there are already a number of head-up-the-ass conservative groups there fighting for “the sanctity of marriage” or some other such euphemistic dreck which basically boils down to “fuck them faggots”.  These groups will predictably seek a constitutional amendment.  Here's one. 

So this is sort-of-good news.  A step in the right direction and all that.  Hope springs eternal that when I am an old(er) fart I can look back on a time when gay marriage wasn't legal across the nation and say “I'm glad that's over and done with.”  For other sort-of-good news, check the Wikipedia entry for “Same-sex Marriage in the United States“.

Although the list of states with bans against gay marriage is nothing short of depressing, the poll numbers are interesting.  There appears to be a slight updward trend in the Pew Research polls with regard to approval for gay marriage.  Further, in the CBS poll which gave people taking the poll the option of civil unions, reveals that in every demographic but two, citizens favor some sort of recognition for gay partners (be it marriage or civil union.)  The overall numbers indicate that 57% of the respondants favored some sort of recognition, while only 40% favored no recognition of gay marriage or civil unions.  So what are the only demographics that didn't follow the trend?  Republicans (well, duh) and people 65 and older.