The New Jersey Civil Union Commission held its first of many meetings Monday to discuss several issues same-sex couples deal with.

The commission?s members investigate if civil unions really give same-sex couples equal rights as marriage. The number one issue the commission may have to deal with is employers refusing to recognize a couple?s union.

The state gay rights organization, Garden State Equity, said it has received almost 150 complaints. However, the state Division on Civil Rights said it has only received two official complaints.

Since civil unions became legal in February, the commission said approximately 1,100 same-sex couples have filed for unions. In that same time, the state Division on Civil Rights said it has started two formal investigations into complaints that an employer will not recognize a union.

Garden State Equity officials believe fear is stopping many couples from making formal complaints. Commission officials said they understand the concerns, but in order to move forward with civil rights investigations, couples must take steps forward and file formal complaints.

The commission plans to report its findings every six months.