WHAT HAPPENED: New Jersey’s highest court determined that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexuals and ordered the Legislature to decide how the state will honor same-sex unions.

WHAT IT MEANS: Lawmakers have 180 days to rewrite marriage laws to include same-sex couples or create some form of civil union.

WHAT’S NEXT: The battle heads to the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Any bill that emerges would go to Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who said he supports domestic partnerships, but not gay marriage.