N.J. OKS GAY UNIONS

    Under pressure from New Jersey's highest court to offer marriage or its equivalent to gay couples, the state Legislature voted yesterday to make New Jersey the third state to allow civil unions.

    Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine said he would sign the measure, which would extend to same-sex couples all the rights and privileges available under state law to married people. The bill passed the Assembly 56-19 and the Senate 23-12.

    Corzine has said he prefers civil unions to gay marriage and promised a thorough review of the bill to ensure it doesn't bring unintended consequences. He did not say how soon he might sign the bill.

    Massachusetts is the only state to allow gay marriage. Vermont and Connecticut have civil unions and California has domestic partnerships that work similarly.

    Among the benefits gay couples would get under New Jersey's civil union bill are adoption rights, hospital visitation privileges and inheritance rights.