Nearly 30 municipalities in New Jersey were put on notice over accusations of discrimination against LGBTQ+ marriage licenses.
The 28 towns are accused of posting marriage license application forms on their websites that did not have the nonbinary option under gender – only male and female options.
“That practice is inconsistent with the marriage license application currently published by the New Jersey Department of Health, which has included a third gender option for nonbinary applicants and other people with undesignated or unspecified gender identities since 2019,” Attorney General Matt Platkin wrote in a statement.
The towns are 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.
“Marriage equality is not just the law. It is a fundamental right. 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,” Platkin stated.
The towns will be required to rectify the issue, including updating the websites and adopting a written policy prohibiting discrimination.
The notices were filed by the Office of the Attorney General and the state Division of Civil Rights.