South Orange Performs Same-Sex Marriages

Opening it’s historic municipal building, where the first domestic partnership in the state took place in 2004, at midnight on Sunday, Village President Alex Torpey joined mayors across the state in performing one of the first same-sex marriages ever to take place in the State of New Jersey at 12:01am.

Marty Finkle and Mike Plake, who were the first couple in New Jersey to be domestic partnered in 2004, were married right after midnight, completing a journey that many LGBT couples have had to make on the way to being able to marry.

Village President Torpey, a vocal advocate for marriage equality, thanked the legacy of past Village Presidents who have been supportive of marriage equality, including Bill Calabrese, who was in attendance and opened Village Hall at midnight in 2004, and Douglas Newman, as well as the hard work of many throughout the village and the state who have made Sunday evening’s momentous event possible through the championing of the cause of marriage equality.

Dozens of residents, advocates, activists and officials were in attendance to witness this historic moment, which was followed by a ceremony for another same-sex couple, remarks from others in attendance and a lot of hugs and celebration.

The Village President and Board of Trustees congratulations all couples in South Orange and throughout the state that were able to legally marry last night!

All couples can pick up applications for marriage in Village Offices at 76 South Orange Ave - Third Floor, in the Clerk's Office. Please call 973 378 7715 or clerk@southorange.org if you have any questions.