ASBURY PARK - Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest LGBT advocacy and education organization, today announced its endorsements for the May non-partisan municipal elections taking place in New Jersey.

The candidates receiving endorsements from GSE are:

Czezre Adams for Newark City Council;
Ras Baraka for Mayor of Newark;
Reed Gusciora for Mayor of Trenton;
Alexandra Harwin for Ridgewood Village Council;
Elvin Montero for Trenton City Council; and
Jason O'Donnell for Mayor of Bayonne.

Each of these candidates has a clear and defined history of working with and supporting issues of importance to the LGBT community. Whether it be marriage equality, anti-bullying laws, flying the pride flag, or engaging in proactive discussions on how to best achieve true equality and fairness for the LGBT community, these individuals have shown they are committed to the cause of LGBT rights.

“We carefully selected the candidates that we feel will uphold the goals and ideals we fight for every day,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “We are proud to support them and look forward to working with them toward a more equal New Jersey.”

Various municipalities across the state of New Jersey will hold their non-partisan elections on May 8.

ABOUT GARDEN STATE EQUALITY

GSE is New Jersey’s statewide advocacy and education organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

GSE, in collaboration with community partners, led efforts to ensure nondiscrimination for transgender and gender nonconforming people in NJ, passed the most comprehensive anti-bullying law in the country, ended sexual orientation and gender identity/expression change efforts in NJ (sometimes called conversion therapy), and brought marriage equality to the Garden State.

In this post-marriage environment, GSE’s main focuses are youth, transgender people, and seniors, and the organization’s work on those issues is informed by racial, economic, and disability justice concerns. GSE is working on campaigns to address safe environments for youth, improvement of health services that meet LGBT community needs, and respectful treatment of seniors. Beyond that, GSE supports NJ’s activist community by bringing an LGBT lens to the shared struggle for justice.

Garden State Equality’s Teach and Affirm Program held its 1st Annual Art Contest for students in 6th-8th grades. Now we need your vote! We selected the top 10 from over 120 incredible submissions! Thank you to all who participated, we were very impressed by all the designs.

1st place winners:
Artwork will be printed on a “Knockout Bullying” boxing glove and sold at Beachbox in Asbury Park and on GSE’s website
An article in our local press discussing the artist and school’s work
Artwork will be displayed at GSE offices & BeachBox in Asbury Park
$100 worth of Toys R Us art supplies

2nd place winners:
Artwork will be displayed at GSE and BeachBox in Asbury Park.
$50 worth of Toys R Us art supplies

3rd place winners:
Artwork will be displayed at GSE and BeachBox in Asbury Park.
$25 worth of Toys R Us art supplies

“Knockout Bullying” Awards Event will be held on Saturday June 16th from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m at BeachBox: 1317 Memorial Drive, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Winners, their families, and school representatives/host teachers will be invited to attend the event hosted by GSE and BeachBox! Everyone in attendance will receive brunch, winners will receive their prizes and participate an interactive activity! Wear something comfortable!

To vote for your favorite submission, CLICK HERE

Bianca Mayes began working as our Health and Wellness Coordinator last fall, and she jumped right into developing a program to better address the unique needs of LGBT older adults. Since rolling out the program in January, Bianca has trained more than 100 healthcare professionals throughout New Jersey!

With over 100,000 LGBT New Jerseyans over the age of 55, there is a lot of work to be done, but we are making progress.

Over the next few weeks, Bianca will continue to offer our Bronze, Silver, and Gold level Pledge & Protect trainings to providers throughout our state. And, this summer we plan to host 10 focus groups serving all 21 counties to help produce a statewide needs assessment. 

There are a lot of ways to get involved with this work, below are some upcoming events:

LGBT Senior Housing and Care Expo in partnership with Green Hill Retirement Community:
https://www.gardenstateequality.org/lgbt_senior_expo

Focus groups in partnership with Monmouth University:
www.gardenstateequality.org./focusgroup

GSE’s Pledge & Protect program is for all healthcare providers including:nurse practitioners, doctors, therapists, dentists, and other direct-service providers. If you are a healthcare or housing professional and are interested in learning more about our programs, please check out the attached flyer on our Pledge and Protect program, and reach out to us at: http://www.gardenstateequality.org/pledge

This progress wouldn't be possible without the support of our dedicated members and community partners.

Bianca Mayes
Health and Wellness Coordinator
Garden State Equality

Chris Donnelly To Serve As New GSE Action Fund Chair

Asbury Park - Luanne Peterpaul, one of the state’s champions for LGBT rights and equality, is moving on from her position as Chair of Garden State Equality’s (GSE) Action Fund. Peterpaul has served as a board member and chair for 12 years. Luanne has proven to be a fundamental partner of Garden State Equality. In her 12 year run, she has been a fearless leader, a compassionate advocate, and a dedicated supporter, having made immeasurable contributions to several of the organization’s efforts.

“Garden State Equality has evolved from a single mission organization - Marriage Equality - an important one at that - to an organization that makes an impact on the lives of the LGBT community and its allies every single day,” Said Peterpaul. “I am confident that with GSE’s executive director, staff and board members, GSE will continue the great work being accomplished. We all must be mindful that we can't continue to make strides forward and justice will not be served until, as Benjamin Franklin said, ‘those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.’”

Peterpaul has played an influential role in most, if not all, of the over 250 laws and local ordinances passed with the guidance of Garden State Equality. She was one of the pioneers in the fight for equality, while also advocating for greater emphasis on educating our youth on diversity, equality and respect for their peers.

One of her most notable accomplishments is co-authoring the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, which sailed through both the State Assembly and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Christie in January 2011. She was also the recipient of last year’s Lifetime Achievement Award from the LGBT Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the time and dedication that Luanne has put into this organization,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “She has taught and will continue to teach me so many valuable lessons that I apply to my work every day. She will be missed on our Board, but I know she will never stop being a loyal partner of Garden State Equality.”

Outside of Garden State Equality, Peterpaul is a partner and principal at Peterpaul Law, LLP located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Her practice involves the handling of complex litigation including employment law, business litigation and school law issues. She is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of New Jersey, and the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Chris Donnelly, who currently sits on Garden State Equality’s Action Fund Executive

Committee, will step into Peterpaul’s position as Chair. Donnelly offers a background in LGBT advocacy, having served as the communications director for New Jersey United For Marriage, a grassroots campaign to bring marriage equality to New Jersey.

“It will not be easy following the incredible legacy Luanne is leaving behind,” said Donnelly. “She has been a mentor to me, but more importantly, a great friend. I look forward to continuing the great work she, Christian, and Garden State Equality have performed over the years. Whether it is combating rampant homelessness and addiction among LGBT youth, ensuring greater
understanding of our LGBT brothers and sisters, or doing away with outdated laws that ingrain bias, there are still battles to be won in the fight for true LGBT equality in our state and in our Nation.”

Donnelly is currently a Principal for Kivvit, an organization that focuses on public affairs and communications strategies for their clients. Prior to joining Kivvit, Donnelly served as Press Secretary to State Senate President Steve Sweeney. He has also worked in the administrations of three New Jersey governors and served as communications director for the 2010 reelection campaign of Congressman Rush Holt.

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Two of NJ’s leading rights organizations want NJ young people to know they’re here to help

In the wake of widespread student activism following the massacre in Parkland, Florida, Garden State Equality and the ACLU of New Jersey have come together to send a message to students: we have your back and we’re here for you.

"The tide has finally turned and the voices of students are carrying the waves of justice throughout our nation," Said Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. "I want every young person to know that all throughout history, change has come from those who are brave enough to stand tall regardless of those telling them to stand down. In New Jersey, my wish is that every student feels confident knowing that ACLU of New Jersey and Garden State Equality, two of New Jersey’s largest social justice organizations, have your back. As leaders of social movements, we are coming together to provide resources that highlight your rights as students."

The ACLU-NJ and GSE reiterate the students holding demonstrations at school, including walkouts, have rights. The ACLU-NJ offers basic guidelines to students online, and a few key points in brief:

• Even for activities like walkouts that fall outside the boundaries of school rules, students can’t be punished extra harshly or disproportionately.
• Schools can’t block the doors to stop a walkout.
• Schools can’t stop kids from talking about political topics for being too controversial.

On Thursday, March 8, at 8 p.m., the ACLU is holding a nationwide webinar for students to understand their speech rights.

“It’s heartening and important for young New Jerseyans to make their voices heard. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always without consequence, but we hope to serve as a resource on what schools can do, what they can’t do, and what they should do,” said ACLU-NJ Deputy Legal Director Jeanne LoCicero. “You are the ones who will inherit the duty of keeping liberty strong for the next generations, and we hope school administrators will embrace the spirit of civic engagement.”

Your rights in schools:

https://www.aclu-nj.org/theissues/studentyouthrights/know-your-rights-student-walkouts-and-political-speech-school/

Students should contact Garden State Equality at contact@gardenstateequality.org or (973)509-5428 or the ACLU of New Jersey through their intake form if their rights are endangered.

SUE FULTON BECOMES FIRST HIGH LEVEL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENT OF AN LGBT PERSON BY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION

NEWARK - The Murphy administration has nominated Brenda S. “Sue” Fulton to serve as the new Commissioner of the Motor Vehicle Commission. Fulton is currently the Executive Director of Women in the Service Change Initiative.  If confirmed, this would make her the first high level government appointment of an LGBT person since Governor Murphy’s inauguration.

Fulton was member of the first class at West Point to admit women in 1980, and she served in the army until she was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.  Thereafter, she founded multiple organizations that advocate for LGBT military members. In July 2011, she was appointed by President Obama as the first openly gay member of the West Point Board of Visitors and became the first female USMA graduate to chair the Board in 2015.

Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest LGBT organization, applauds Governor Murphy’s decision to place Fulton in this prominent position. The organization has been working with the Murphy administration in an effort to assign appropriate representatives of LGBT-related issues.

“We endorsed Phil Murphy during his campaign because we were confident he would chose competent and qualified leaders for New Jersey. He has shown us today that our belief in him was well-founded,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “We are optimistic that this is just the beginning of a long line of appointments and decisions made by Governor Murphy that will positively impact and be reflective of the LGBT community.”

The MVC is composed of eight members, four of whom are appointed by the Governor. Three cabinet members also serve on the MVC on an ex-officio basis: the New Jersey Attorney General, the State Treasurer, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The eighth position is reserved for the Chief Administrator, a non-voting member, who also serves as the Chair of the MVC.

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Press Contact:
Colin DeLucca
Communications Manager
973-509-5428
DeLucca@GardenStateEquality.org

January 16, 2018

Dear New Jersey Legislators,

On behalf of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest LGBT advocacy organization; the National Center for Transgender Equality, the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization for transgender people; and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the state’s largest defender of individual rights and civil liberties, we write to urge you to support legislation that will allow transgender residents to change the gender marker on their birth certificates to accurately reflect their identities and lived experiences.

NEW JERSEY’S LEADING LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS & ALLIES EXPRESS OUTRAGE OVER TRUMP’S CRUEL INDIFFERENCE TO HIV/AIDS ADVOCATES

Asbury Park – LGBTQ organizations and allies across New Jersey expressed outrage today over President Trump’s firing off the remaining members of the HIV/AIDS advisory council. The members were fired without warning and – and in a move indicative of the cowardice of this president - by way of letters sent through FedEx.

The ten remaining members of the council received their termination letters on Wednesday, December 27, with no indication of when the Trump administration might begin to make new appointments.

“This mass firing is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine LGBT related issues,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “The advisory council was assembled with professionals and persons living with HIV/AIDS that fought for the betterment of those affected by the virus. Given the track record of the Trump administration, we are fearful Trump’s picks to replace these appointees will be wildly unqualified for the roles, if they are even replaced at all.”

While it is not uncommon to see changes in federal advisory committees, historically presidential administrations had allowed members to serve full terms before appointing replacements. This was often done in an effort to make transition periods as seamless as possible and help keep members focused on committee objectives.

“President Trump’s firing without explanation of the remainder of the HIV/AIDS Council is yet another slap in the face to our LGBTQ family and friends,” said New Jersey Governor Elect  Phil Murphy. “Real leadership means governing with inclusivity, respect, and dignity.”

Since the council was founded in 1995, its responsibilities centered around advising the White House on HIV/AIDS policies. Members of the council, known by the acronym PACHA, are unpaid and offer recommendations on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, a five-year plan responding to the epidemic.

“Hyacinth AIDS Foundation is outraged by President Trump’s unilateral decision to dismiss all members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS,” said Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, the Executive Director Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. “With tremendous strides in treatment and prevention, we are seeing great strides in reducing the numbers of new infections. Dismantling this council now is simply inappropriate. With 1.2 million Americans still living with the virus, we need a unified front from all departments within the U.S. government if we truly want to end this epidemic.”

The firings followed numerous prior resignations from members of the HIV/AIDS advisory council who felt the Trump administration was taking steps to hinder progress in the fight against the disease. These departures were taking place as early as June of 2017.

“As the leading and largest LGBTQ Center in New Jersey, we are appalled and angered at Trump's decision to abruptly dismiss the remaining members of the HIV/AIDS Council,” said Michael Billy from the Hudson Pride Connections Center. “The council is an integral part of policies and funding in the national fight to end this epidemic. This latest attack from The White House is another hostile move in silencing, erasing and displacing LGBTQ people, people living with HIV and Black Americans who are affected most.”

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Please read the statement below from our Health & Wellness Coordinator, Bianca Mayes:

I’m writing to inform you about a recent Trump administration order that will ban certain words
at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as “Transgender”. My name is Bianca
Mayes and I am the new Health & Wellness Coordinator at Garden State Equality.

This recent order will ban America’s top public health agency from using seven terms in official
reports and documents. These seven terms include: “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,”
“transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based.” Censoring these terms will lead to
further stigma and discrimination of sexual orientation, gender identity, and abortion rights.
Additionally, this censorship will further exclude federal policies and the collection of
government information of LGBT Americans.

It’s important for you to know that Garden State Equality is committed to protecting the needs of
the LGBT community. Last March, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
abandoned questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in two surveys specifically
for older adults. Our commitment to the community has inspired us to partner with Green
Hill: Senior Living and SAGE NJ to administer a statewide LGBT older adults needs
assessment survey.

This survey will give older adults the opportunity to identify their sexual orientations and/or
gender identities as well as identify their needs for Housing, Continuation of Care, Safety,
Healthcare, and Access to Care.

Additionally, as the Trump Administration begins to erase our community from national
surveys, we are committed to passing legislation in NJ mandating the collection of SOGI (sexual
orientation/gender identity) data. We recently let you know about two bills that have passed the
Assembly and Senate, requiring SOGI data collection in higher education and certain state
agencies. In 2018 we will push for the collection of SOGI data on the Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and in the homeless youth
Point-in- Time-Count Surveys.

Finally, we recognize the significant need to identify LGBT clinically and culturally competent
health care providers for LGBT people living in New Jersey and are aggressively developing our
Map and Expand Project.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We are here to help.

Best,

Bianca Mayes
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Garden State Equality