In 2006, New Jersey lawmakers were given 180 days to draft a bill that would give same-sex couples equal rights of marriage. The mandate from the State Supreme Court was clear, but lawmakers were challenged with what to actually call the new gay unions- marriage or an equivalent term with the same rights.

Less than 60 days after the landmark ruling, the New Jersey legislature approved a bill that created civil unions for same-sex couples.

Former Gov. Jon Corzine singed the bill, making New Jersey the third state to offer civil unions behind Vermont and Connecticut. The law took effect February 19, 2007.

Fast-forward to 2011. After a successful bid for gay marriage in neighboring New York, gay rights advocates have filed petitions to upgrade New Jersey's civil unions into full gay marriage.