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Marriage Equality Lawsuit Filed On Behalf Of Same Sex Couples In New Jersey

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. (CBS) -- Louis Alberta is single but would love to get married someday.

"It' everybody's dream", he says.

But for Louis and other gay and lesbian people living in New Jersey, getting married like heterosexual couples is not an option.

"I work hard, I contribute to society, I deserve the same rights as everyone else", says Alberta.

He supports Garden State Equality and Lambda Legal's lawsuit filing against the state of New Jersey Wednesday on behalf of seven gay and lesbian couples seeking marriage equality.

"What year are we living in", asks Kathy Hogan.

She is an attorney who says she has to continually fight for same sex couples that have a civil union, but not a gay marriage. She says their rights are still being questioned by insurance companies and other entities that don't treat same sex couples equally.

"I don't think the state has the right to regulate that same sex people can't marry", says Emily Turner.

She and her husband have two children. Marriage, they say, should be open to everyone.

Garden State Equality believes a same sex marriage bill has enough votes to pass the New Jersey legislature, but not enough support to overide a veto promised by Governor Chris Christie.

"I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman, that's my view and that'll be the view of our state, because I wouldn't sign a bill like the one that was in New York," said Christie.

"Until we get our federal rights we're really not equal," said Alberta.

For more information, read the lawsuit HERE

Reported by Robin Rieger, CBS 3

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