There was a lot of anticipation as people waited at Newark City Hall for midnight.
Packed rotunda at Newark City Hall where @CoryBooker is about to marry nine couples at midnight
Ruby Cramer
@rubycramer
Packed rotunda at Newark City Hall where @CoryBooker is about to marry nine couples at midnight
Countdown to midnight in Newark, #NJ! #NJ4M #LGBT
Lambda Legal
@LambdaLegal
Countdown to midnight in Newark, #NJ! #NJ4M #LGBT
Arriving at Newark City Hall where @CoryBooker will officiate some of the first gay weddings in NJ @WNYC
Sarah Gonzalez
@GonzalezSarahA
Arriving at Newark City Hall where @CoryBooker will officiate some of the first gay weddings in NJ @WNYC
There were also preparations made in Jersey City Hall.
Couples waiting to get married in Jersey City.
Katie Zezima
@katiezez
Couples waiting to get married in Jersey City.
Many people expressed their support as midnight struck:
So excited for people in #NJ. Straight or #LGBT, they now live in a state that recognizes equal marriage rights under the law. #NJ4M
Matt Algren
@MattAlgren
So excited for people in #NJ. Straight or #LGBT, they now live in a state that recognizes equal marriage rights under the law. #NJ4M
Yes, I am SUPER EXCITED NJ finally legalized gay marriage! I'm thrilled my state is getting it's act together. Congratulations! #LGBT #NOH8
kowaiyoukai
@kowaiyoukai
Yes, I am SUPER EXCITED NJ finally legalized gay marriage! I'm thrilled my state is getting it's act together. Congratulations! #LGBT #NOH8
I've lived most of my life in new jersey and it being such a progressive state makes me proud. gay marriage in NJ!
jackantonoff
@jackantonoff
I've lived most of my life in new jersey and it being such a progressive state makes me proud. gay marriage in NJ!
The first same-sex couple in Newark was married by Senator-elect Cory Booker.
1st couple in Newark to be #samesex married Joe Panessidi/Orville Bell disrupted by God protestor #nbc4ny
Brian Thompson
@brian4NY
1st couple in Newark to be #samesex married Joe Panessidi/Orville Bell disrupted by God protestor #nbc4ny
Booker now marrying Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell, both 65.
Ruby Cramer
@rubycramer
Booker now marrying Joseph Panessidi and Orville Bell, both 65.
The second couple is married:
Couple #2 is married! #NJ4M #NewJersey #NJ
Lambda Legal
@LambdaLegal
Couple #2 is married! #NJ4M #NewJersey #NJ
"Do you wish to be joined in marriage?"
The crowd watching at Newark City Hall:
The crowd of faith leaders, colleagues & couples. #NJ4M #NewJersey #NJ
Lambda Legal
@LambdaLegal
The crowd of faith leaders, colleagues & couples. #NJ4M #NewJersey #NJ
Cory Booker weds Anthony Arenas and Alexander Padilla in Newark.
.@CoryBooker weds Anthony Arenas, a Newark city employee, and Alexander Padilla.
Ruby Cramer
@rubycramer
.@CoryBooker weds Anthony Arenas, a Newark city employee, and Alexander Padilla.
Everyone cheered in Jersey City Hall when the waiting couples were declared legally married.
A huge cheer went up in the council chambers when couples were declared legally married. Everyone in rotunda having cake, Champagne.
Katie Zezima
@katiezez
A huge cheer went up in the council chambers when couples were declared legally married. Everyone in rotunda having cake, Champagne.
Newly married couples at Jersey City city hall, one minute after same-sex marriage was legalized in NJ.
Katie Zezima
@katiezez
Newly married couples at Jersey City city hall, one minute after same-sex marriage was legalized in NJ.
This is Oscar and Gregory, together for 23 years, married in Jersey City at midnight.
Other couples newly married in Jersey with Mayor Steve Fulop.
Jersey City's newly-married same-sex couples with Mayor Steve Fulop. "Kiss!" The crowd yelled.
Katie Zezima
@katiezez
Jersey City's newly-married same-sex couples with Mayor Steve Fulop. "Kiss!" The crowd yelled.
Here's the first same-sex couple married in Lambertville, New Jersey, hugging:
Update — 9:45 a.m. ET: Christie withdraws appeal of marriage ruling
Gov. Chris Christie is dropping the fight against marriage equality in New Jersey, the Star Ledger reports.