Booker Presides Over Newark's First Gay Marriages

Mayor Cory Booker joined mayors across the state  early Monday in presiding over New Jersey’s first same-sex marriages.

"Tonight we have crossed a barrier," Booker told the newlyweds and their families and friends. "While you all have fallen into love, the truth is the state of New Jersey has risen to love."

Booker conducted the nuptials in the rotunda at city hall, the first time he has performed any weddings in his seven-and-half-year career as mayor. Booker had vowed not to conduct any weddings until gays were free to marry in the state too.

That happened Friday, when the New Jersey Supreme Court paved the way for same-sex marriages to begin, despite the opposition of Gov. Chris Christie. New Jersey is the 14th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

In addition to Newark, mayors in Jersey City, Red Bank and Lambertville also conducted weddings just past midnight. 

At just past midnight on Monday, Booker married more than a half-dozen gay and straight couples, including Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell, the city’s first-ever same-sex married couple.  

This will be among the last acts as mayor to be performed by Booker, who was elected to the United States Senate last week. He will take the oath of office for his new post within the next several days.