New Jersey ? It’s an issue volleyed among courts, voters and legislatures in the Northeast. But gay activists hope that through the courts, New Jersey will become the first state to grant same-sex couples full marriage rights.

Wednesday, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit in Jersey City arguing that the rights of seven gay couples were violated because they could not apply for marriage licenses.

In 1997, New Jersey became the first state to allow gay partners to jointly adopt children, as married couples do.

Critics of same-sex marriage are exploring ways to prevent any affirmative ruling.