New Jersey —

Dozens of New Jersey's gay couples now have the same legal rights as married couples, though without the title. Yesterday, the state became the third in the nation to offer civil unions.

Some town halls opened despite the holiday, to give same sex couples the chance to tie the knot. Civil unions offer the same legal benefits, but not the title, as marriage.

In October, New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled that same sex couples were constitutionally entitled to all the benefits of marriage.