NEWARK, N.J. -- A judge's ruling that a same-sex couple can sue for a loss of consortium could expand rights for gays in New Jersey.
Superior Court Judge James S. Rothschild Jr. ruled last week that Judith Peterson and Linda Henry of Fair Lawn can continue their claim against St. Barnabas Health Care System, Clara Maass Medical Center and five individuals.
Henry, a former paramedic at Clara Maass in Belleville, claimed she was forced to endure a hostile work environment as a result of her gender and sexual orientation, and suffered retaliation after she reported misconduct by co-workers. Henry said those actions led her to suffer a heart attack and other health problems that led her to neglect Peterson, her partner of nine years.
In legal terms, loss of consortium is defined as the inability of a spouse to engage in normal marital relations. Up to now, only married couples have been permitted to sue for loss of consortium.
That's bound to piss off the religious right. Details here from Newsday.com.