In the latest sign that New Jersey is shaping up to be the next front in the battle over gay marriage, lawyers for six gay couples and their children filed a motion Wednesday saying that last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the federal Defense of Marriage Act means that gay couples in the Garden State must be permitted to wed immediately.

Mercer County Assignment Judge Mary C. Jacobson has put the case on an accelerated schedule, calling a hearing for Aug. 15 to consider the motion and the state's response, which is due in 30 days.

Advocates of same-sex marriage across the country will be watching with great interest.