Senator Elect and Newark Mayor Cory Booker Will Be Conducting Gay Marriage Ceremonies Starting Monday

 

 Newark Mayor Cory Booker plans to officiate at least 10 same-sex weddings Monday morning, according to a report on BuzzFeed.com.

Booker, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election on Tuesday, hopes to marry the couples in the first-floor rotunda of City Hall beginning at 12:01 a.m, the report said
City spokesman James Allen told the Star-Ledger that while Booker is pushing hard to make the ceremonies happen next week, nothing official has been scheduled or confirmed.
"There are still some legal obstacles to be ironed out," he said
A judge decided last month that the state must recognize same-sex marriage starting Monday.

Gov. Chris Christie's administration appealed the ruling and is asking the Supreme Court to disallow same-sex marriages in the meantime. A ruling on whether to grant a stay could be released today, though by midmorning, there had been no indication from the court on when it might act. Oral arguments on the broader case are planned for January.
Booker has refused to perform any marriages as mayor until gay and lesbian couples were legally allowed to marry. The ceremonies can proceed unless the state Supreme Court blocks them from happening before Monday.

On Sept. 27, a state judge ruled to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey, saying gay couples would be denied federal benefits if the state kept allowing only civil unions.
Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson granted an emergency request by six gay couples, ordering state officials to begin officiating same-sex marriages on Oct. 21, this Monday.

Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Christie's appeal.
Couples who want Booker to preside over their wedding must fill out the required paperwork by 10 a.m. today, BuzzFeed reported. Each couple can bring up to five guests and should arrive at City Hall one hour before their ceremony, the report said.