Everyday, Garden State Equality fights for the rights of New Jersey's most vulnerable students, working with families, educators, students, and school administrators to make our schools safer for LGBT youth.

As the child of two public school teachers, a former educator, a historian, and a safe schools advocate, I know that an informed citizenry is the bedrock of democracy, and that quality public education is essential not only to our children's futures, but to the future of our country.

There is no other way to put this: today is a sad day for American public education, and a sad day for our nation's children.

Today, all but two Republican senators voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. In so doing they placed our public schools under the charge of an avowed enemy of public education.

Garden State Equality stands with Joe Maldonado, an 8-year old Secaucus boy who was kicked out of the Boy Scouts for being transgender.

We first met Joe in the summer of 2015, when his mom Kristie, a fierce advocate for her son, reached out to GSE for help in supporting Joe’s transition at school. We worked with his elementary school to ensure that Joe was able to attend school as a boy, providing policy consultation to administrators and professional development training for teachers and staff on working with transgender youth. Since that time we have continued to be an ally and resource to Joe’s family.

NEW JERSEY’S LARGEST LGBT ORGANIZATION CALLS ON MEMBERS TO DIRECTLY TAKE DOWN GARRETT AND CLEANSE NEW JERSEY OF HATE

GLEN ROCK, NJ - Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest organization dedicated to the rights of the LGBT community, is calling on it’s members and anyone who stands against homophobia to attend a “No Hate In Our State” rally on October 18th in Glen Rock, NJ at the Harding Plaza next to Glen Rock City Hall. The location is a highly visible choice being right next to a major commuter train station in Garrett’s district. The rally will begin at 6pm.

As members of the LGBTQ and Muslim communities in America, we are joined in solidarity, grief and outrage at the horrific attack that unfolded in Orlando on June 12. Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims, their families and the LGBTQ communities, particularly LGBTQ Latino communities.