Garden State Equality
The Garden State Equality logo
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U.S. State of New Jersey
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| Founded | 2004 |
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Area served
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New Jersey |
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Key people
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Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director |
| Website | gardenstateequality |
Garden State Equality is a statewide political advocacy organization in the U.S. state of New Jersey that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, including same-sex marriage.
Garden State Equality was founded in 2004 by Steven Goldstein.
In 2011, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of Garden State Equality and six same-sex families against New Jersey, arguing that the state's civil union system failed to provide those same benefits and violated New Jersey’s guarantee of equal protection. On September 27, 2013, Judge Mary Jacobson ruled that same-sex marriage should be legal and ordered the state to begin allowing same-sex marriages on October 21, 2013. The state quickly appealed the decision and asked for a stay to delay the implementation of the court order. On October 18, 2013, the Supreme Court of New Jersey unanimously affirmed Judge Jacobson's denial of the stay and ruled that state should begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as ordered. Hours after the first marriages were officiated on October 21, 2013, the state dropped its legal challenge and New Jersey became the 14th state with the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples.
Garden State Equality programming focuses primarily on public policy advocacy and grassroots organizing.
The organization's grassroots programs include action nights, where participants can provide input on or participate In the organization's work.
An anti-bullying hotline collects reports from parents, students and others about incidents of bullying against students. The organization visits schools to conduct trainings for administrators, teachers and other staff on New Jersey's anti-bullying law, and how to comply with it. The organization also conducts a different age-appropriate anti-bullying training for students.
At the annual Equality Walk, volunteers get sponsored by friends to do a two to three mile walk on a Sunday. The walk ends at a pub, where a celebration of the walk's completion is held.
Garden State Equality has held numerous town meetings on LGBT issues, such as same-sex marriage, across the state. The organization also holds telephone town meetings with public officials on conference calls with as many as 200 people. The organization has also held lobby days where volunteers meet with legislators and their staff on LGBT issues.
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