Garden State Equality

Spooky season is upon us — and we've got something extra thrilling just for you! We cordially invite you to a truly unique experience: a secret 1920s speakeasy inside a real haunted bank. Get your tickets (21+) now for Spirits & Spenders: An LGBTQ+ Haunted Fundraiser NOW! They're already going fast, so get yours before they run out! >> https://gse.lgbt/halloween WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 24 • 6pm WHERE: The Historic (and Haunted) Asbury Park & Ocean Grove Bank, 308 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ See you soon! [Image description: A flyer for the event that includes the same information as the caption. The background is a heavily edited photo of the bank meant to evoke art deco horror vibes. The sky above the bank has been replaced by a full moon, art deco linework, and a skull looming ominously.] #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ #jerseyshore #halloween #horror #hauntedhouse #asburypark #paranormal #ghost #ghosts #spooky

Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! How many of these New Jersey LGBTQ+ historical figures can you name? As New Jersey's leading LGBTQ+ education organization, we work every day to ensure students have access to diverse, inclusive, and accurate histories so they can grow into the changemakers of tomorrow. We particularly pride ourselves on highlighting the stories of LGBTQ+ historical figures and movements from right here in the Garden State! We believe everyone deserves to learn about the legacies of the communities they call home so they can feel connected to the people like them who came before. [Image description: A collage of New Jersey LGBTQ+ historical figures, from top left counterclockwise: Walt Whitman; Dr. Hilda Hidalgo; Jan Moore and Emily Sonessa; Babs Siperstein; Lydia “Yayi” and Jenelle “Gigi” Torres; Venus Xtravaganza; David Mixner; Marsha P. Johnson; and Detective Lt. Laurel Hester (right) and Stacie Andree. In the center is Sakia Gunn. Toward the top: "LGBTQ+ History Month."] Photo credits: Walt Whitman: U.S. Library of Congress Dr. Hilda Hidalgo: New Jersey Hispanic Research & Information Center at The Newark Public Library Emily Sonessa and Jan Moore: Asbury Park Press Babs Siperstein: Washington Blade Lydia “Yayi” and Jenelle “Gigi” Torres: Associated Press Venus Xtravaganza: Janus Films via NJ.com David Mixner: Garden State Equality file photo Marsha P. Johnson: Hank O'Neal via Swann Auction Galleries Detective Lt. Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree: Asbury Park Press Sakia Gunn: Gunn Family #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ #LGBTQHistorymonth #queerhistory #history #lgbthistory

In honor of National Gay Men’s HIV and AIDS Awareness Day (Sept. 27), we’re highlighting “Healing Through Alternative Medicine,” an in-person workshop presented in partnership with Camden Apothecary and Bell Rexall Pharmacy. Register here >> https://lnkd.in/ebVhYia7 This workshop will discuss the benefits of alternative medicine for chronic pain, HIV management, and anxiety, and there will be free HIV and Hepatitis testing on-site! WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 • 1-4pm WHERE: Camden Apothecary, 1205 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ Plus, a percentage of sales will be donated to Garden State Equality! [Image description: A flyer for the event. It includes all of the same information as the caption.] #NGMHAAD #StopHIVTogether #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ #Camden #SouthJersey #HIV #chronicpain

A statement from the desk of our Executive Director Christian Fuscarino: All of us at Garden State Equality reflect with deep sorrow on the execution of Marcellus Williams. His case is a stark reminder of the severity of our nation’s capital punishment system, a system that has repeatedly demonstrated bias and discrimination, particularly against marginalized communities. It is nearly impossible to remove all prejudice from jurors, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. Systemic biases, whether based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, often result in life-or-death outcomes. These failures are not abstract: lives have been lost, families destroyed, and justice denied. We will likely never be able to ensure that every defendant is given an equitable trial, free from people's bias, and reflective of the true principles of justice and this is why the death penalty must be abolished. We stand in solidarity with the families of those affected by wrongful convictions and executions, and we will continue to work toward a future where justice is not determined by identity, but by fairness and truth. [Image description: The above statement in white text over a black background.]

#MercerCounty will become the 4th county in New Jersey with an Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, following a unanimous vote by the county commissioners last night. We congratulate the county and its commissioners for dedicating crucial resources to their LGBTQ+ residents. At last night's meeting, County Executive Dan Benson said: “We do not want to continue to give back unused dollars, this office will create better access to health insurance, housing, food security to a community that needs it most. This is a county that speaks out and speaks up. Mercer has always been a welcoming place, now we will have the staff to prove it!” Also during the meeting, Garden State Equality Deputy Director Brielle Winslow-Majette said: “Now more than ever, offices like this are important. This week alone we have had five calls from those facing discrimination, and it’s only increasing, so I want to the thank Mercer County Commissioners for acknowledging the importance of this office, and how it acts as a beacon of light for our community. It will unify Mercer County and sets you apart from other counties for your commitment to equity, access, and lived equality. Thank you for spearheading the movement towards lived equity, as you open the fourth office (of this kind) in the state of New Jersey, and an open door for diversity in the state’s capital.” [Image descriptions: Slide 1: The top half is a blue-tinted group photo of the Mercer County Commissioners and advocates taken during the meeting. Along the bottom: "Mercer County to become 4th in NJ with Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs." Slides 2 and 3 are the same format, with each dedicated to one of the above quotes.] #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ

Build healing-centered and anti-racist solidarity while enjoying free breakfast THIS SATURDAY! Space is limited, so register now! >> https://lnkd.in/eUPd_3zV WHEN: Saturday, September 28 • 8:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Baird Center, 5 Mead St, South Orange, NJ 07079 WHAT: A space for all women to process the possibilities and threats of this time and to dismantle the false promises of racism preventing us from standing together in solidarity. (BREAKFAST INCLUDED!) [Image description: A digital flyer for the event. It includes the same information as the caption. The background is light blue, and inset is a blue-tinted photo of three women sitting together. Along the bottom are the logos for SOMA Justice as well as Garden State Equality and two of the organization's programs: Communities Healing Together and the Queer BIPOC Network.] #election #election2024 #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ

We heard some folks were having trouble registering for #EqualityinMotion, so here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you join us for our largest annual grassroots fundraiser! STEP 1: Head to equalityinmotion.com and scroll down. STEP 2: Click on "Register/Join Us." STEP 3: Make your account — and be sure to upload a profile picture! STEP 4: Join a team: - If you already know the team you want to join, click "Join an existing team" and select from the drop down menu. - If you're a solo fundraiser, select the "Individual Fundraisers" Team - If you want to start your own team, select "Create your own team." STEP 5: Share your fundraiser by clicking the "Share Fundraiser" button! We hope this information is helpful! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments. We hope to see you October 9-13 for Equality in Motion! Oct. 9: #AsburyPark - Kickoff + New Headquarters Preview Party 

Oct. 10: #Camden - All-Ages Field Day 

Oct. 11: #AtlanticCity w/ @acqanj - March on the boardwalk with Drag Performers 

Oct. 12: #SussexCounty w/ @sussexcountypride & @pflag_sussex_county_nj - Yoga + Crafts

 Oct. 13: #Montclair - Outdoor Dance Class [Image descriptions: A walkthrough of how to register for Equality in Motion. Each step has its own slide, except Step 4; each team option has its own slide.] #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ

We're six weeks out from #ElectionDay, meaning many New Jerseyans have already received their mail-in ballots. In other words, it's crunch time. Take a look at all of the pro-equality candidates we're endorsing across the Garden State: #BERGEN Kristian Rasmussen and Lisa Bontemps for Westwood Borough Council Tracy Zur and Steven Tanelli for Bergen County Commissioner Jennifer Harris, Leila Amirhamzeh and Eugina Gilmore for Hackensack Board of Education #BURLINGTON Jason Fajgier, Casey Carty and Bjana Swinson for Mount Holly Council Eric Holliday for Bordentown Council Susan Mammarella, James Barry and Christopher Keating for Moorestown Council Samantha Loveman for Hainesport Council Felicia Hopson and Tyler Burrell for Burlington County Commissioner #ESSEX Monica Charris Tabares for Bloomfield Council-at-Large Jenny Mundell for Bloomfield Mayor Tammy Williams for West Orange Council Arun Vadlamani, Bethany Joseph and Qawi Telesford for South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education Nicholas Scotti for Nutley Board of Education Amir Jones for Essex County Sheriff #GLOUCESTER Jo Miller for Woodbury Council, 1st Ward #MERCER Jennifer Williams for Trenton City Council, North Ward Teska Frisby for Trenton City Council, West Ward Mark Freda for Princeton Mayor Terrance Stokes, Samuel Frisby and Kristin McLaughlin for Mercer County Commissioner Ari Meisel and Chris Santarpio for Princeton Board of Education #MIDDLESEX Ron Rios and Shanti Narra for Middlesex County Commissioner #MONMOUTH Eileen Chapman, Yvonne Clayton and Amy Quinn for Asbury Park Council Jose Pujols and Brian Dougherty for Atlantic Highlands Council Michael ‘Mike’ Morris for Middletown Council Kimberly Karalovich for Neptune City Council Nikki Darling for Allentown Council Derel Stroud for Neptune Township Committee Danielle Mastropiero for Monmouth County Commissioner #MORRIS Ben Weisman for Boonton Council Janice Bakera for Jefferson Township Council Justin Strickland, William ‘Bud” Ravitz and Jonathan Sackett for Morris County Commissioner Karol Ruiz for Dover Township Councilmember TC McCourt for Dover Board of Education #OCEAN Zachary Dougherty for Toms River Council, 2nd Ward #SOMERSET Frank ‘Skip’ Stabile and Aimee Corzo for North Plainfield Council Sara Sooy and Shanel Y. Robinson for Somerset County Commissioner #SUSSEX Jason Boehm for Sussex County Commissioner #UNION Danni Newbury for Rahway City Council, 5th Ward Kimberly Palmer Mouded, Alexander Mirabella and James E. Baker Jr for Union County Commissioner Leslie Rippon for Rahway Board of Education #WARREN Christopher Bauknight for Washington Borough Council [Image descriptions: Navy background with blue box and the text: "2024 Local Endorsements." Subsequent slides are each county with its respective candidates, except for the last one, which condenses Gloucester, Middlesex, Sussex, and Warren onto one slide.] #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ #election #electionday2024 #vote #GOTV

#WARRENCOUNTY: The Library Commission is attempting to quietly ban inclusive and diverse books. We must show up to ensure everyone has access to stories that both reflect their identities and lived experiences and allow them to empathize with those unlike them. RSVP with us >> https://lnkd.in/eiZX3Khu WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26 • 5:30pm WHERE: Warren County Library - Richard D. Garden Branch, 2 Shotwell Dr, Belvidere, NJ 07823 [Image description: The same logistical information as the caption appears over a blue-tinted photo of the interior of a library. Underneath: "testimony assistance: hello @ gardenstateequality . org."] #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ #bookban #library #banbookbans #bannedbooks

IN ONE WEEK: Join our incredible slate of presenters for Women Building Healing-Centered and Anti-Racist solidarity for the Election and Beyond!⁠ Sign up here >> https://lnkd.in/eUPd_3zV ⁠ There are many challenges ahead, regardless of the outcome this November. Join us as we create a space for all women to process the possibilities and threats of this time and to dismantle the false promises of racism preventing us from standing together in solidarity.⁠ ⁠ WHAT: Women Building Healing-Centered and Anti-Racist Solidarity for the Election and Beyond⁠ WHEN: Saturday, September 28 • 8:30am-12:30pm⁠ WHERE: Location TBA⁠ ⁠ Sign up here >> https://lnkd.in/eUPd_3zV ⁠ [Image description: A digital flyer for the event. It includes the same information as the caption, as well as photos of the presenters: Shan Byrd, Amanda Adams, Becky Dale, and Alisha DeLorenzo. Along the bottom are the logos for Garden State Equality and two of the organization's programs: Communities Healing Together and the Queer BIPOC Network.]⁠ ⁠ #election #election2024 #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer #trans #transgender #NewJersey #NJ