Its been three years since New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine signed the bill that created civil unions for same-sex couples. The move, mandated by a 2006 state Supreme Court ruling, was intended to extend all the same benefits and protections offered by the state for married couples to same-sex couples -- without calling the arrangement marriage. Opponents of same-sex marriage said the law went too far, but supporters say civil unions amount to second-class rights. Gay couples are often denied health benefits or barred from visiting their partner in an emergency room — usually because hospital staff are unfamiliar with the civil union law. Opponents say marriage is defined by the union of a man and a woman and cannot be replicated by same-sex couples, but for committed, long-time couples — many of whom have raised families in New Jersey -- it is simply insulting to be denied the right to call their relationship a marriage. (Video by Nyier Abdou/The Star-Ledger) (less info)