Garden State Equality

09/03/2026

This week, New Jersey joined a coalition of 22 states in challenging the Trump administration’s inhumane attempt to pull funding for transgender healthcare.

We thank Attorney General Davenport for her swift and decisive response to these attacks on medically necessary, best-practice healthcare and for protecting transgender New Jerseyans.

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09/03/2026

It's back-to-school season, but don't let learning only be for students! Join us for a four-part workshop series on protecting students' rights and well-being at the school board level.

Register >> https://gse.lgbt/boe

WHEN: Thursdays (9/17, 9/24, 10/8, and 10/15), at 7:30pm
WHERE: Virtual

Presented in collaboration in with the NJ Public Education Coalition.

[ID: "Board of Education Advocacy Series. 9/17: School Boards 101. 9/24: The Hidden Network Behind School Board Battles. 10/8: Board of Education Member Panel. 10/15: School Boards 102."]

09/02/2026

We're excited to share the special guests for this year's LGBTQ+ Summit During the NJ League of Municipalities: Hon. Julien X. Neals, Asw. Luanne Peterpaul, and our emcee Bernie Wagenblast!

Learn more about the event >> https://gse.lgbt/league

[ID: "The LGBTQ+ Summit During the NJ League of Municipalities.
Tuesday, November 17, 12-3pm. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ.
Hon. Julien X. Neals, US District Judge, District of New Jersey.
Asw. Luanne Peterpaul, NJ Legislative District 11.
Bernie Wagenblast, Journalist & Voice Actor, Summit Emcee.
Presented by: Garden State Equality and Unity Chamber of Commerce."]

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09/02/2026

This week, we joined ACLU-NJ in filing an amicus brief in Lema v. Davenport, a federal court case seeking to overturn New Jersey‘s protections for trans and gender diverse students.

The lawsuit’s chief complaint concerns the fact that NJ does not require schools to forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to their families. Last year the NJ Superior Court ruled that such a requirement would likely violate the NJ Law Against Discrimination.

This new challenge comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s shadow docket decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta, which concerned an anti-outing law in California.

“We are confident that New Jersey's policies are entirely aligned in legal compliance with the NJ Law Against Discrimination, as well as serving, with zero reported negative effects, to protect LGBTQ+ students’ rights, safety and health.

We're looking forward to the court affirming that NJ's policy is not in violation of any rights of parents, and we hope that caregivers are creating safe and inclusive homes for LGBTQ+ youth." - Lauren Albrecht, Sr. Director of Advocacy & Organizing at Garden State Equality

“There is no legal basis for this attack on New Jersey’s policies that respect the rights and privacy of transgender and gender non-conforming students.

We urge the Court to recognize the responsibility New Jersey has under the law protect the health and safety of all of its students, regardless of their gender identities.” - Ezra Rosenberg, Director of Appellate Advocacy for ACLU-NJ

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08/25/2026

Are you interested in getting more involved with your local LGBTQ+ community? Take the first step by coming to a Garden State Equality volunteer orientation!

Learn more and sign up at gse.lgbt/volunteer.

Our volunteer orientation sessions help you learn about our departments, programs, and the incredible work we do together. Whether you’re passionate about advocacy, event planning, or offering specialized skills, we can't wait to see you!

08/24/2026

Are you running for office this November and vow to fight for LGBTQ+ equality if elected? Then apply now for an endorsement from the Garden State Equality Action Fund!

Our endorsement questionnaires for federal, county, municipal, and board of education candidates are live now through Sept. 20 >> https://gse.lgbt/endorse.

These questionnaires help the LGBTQ+ community and our allies know where candidates stand on issues important to us, and also serve as part of the evaluation process for endorsements.

[ID: "Election 2026: Candidate endorsement questionnaires are now live. Deadline: 9/20/2026."]

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08/21/2026

We're *Moving Together* this fall for LGBTQ+ youth, justice, and health initiatives throughout New Jersey!

Save the dates for Equality in Motion, our largest annual grassroots fundraiser, and join a peer-to-peer fundraising team now >> equalityinmotion.com

Thursday, Oct. 1: Asbury Park, Monmouth County
Sunday, Oct. 4: Camden County
Sunday, Oct. 11: Montclair, Essex County

[ID: Save the date flyer with the same info as the caption.]

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By Garden State Equality

08/20/2026

And just like that, New Jersey is the latest state to enshrine protections for patients and providers of trans and reproductive healthcare INTO LAW!

We want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly for years to make this legislation a reality. To the lawmakers, policy experts, advocates, healthcare providers, allies, and, of course, Gov. Sherrill: thank you for helping us declare that protecting bodily autonomy is a core value in the Garden State.

[IDs:

1. Gov. Sherrill signing the bill at an event in Montclair.

2. Sen. Majority Leader Ruiz delivers remarks at the event.

3. Asw. Peterpaul delivers remarks.

4. Asw. Speight delivers remarks.

5. Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan NJ Roslyn Rogers Collins delivers remarks.

6. Simone Kraus of the Transgender Rights Coalition of NJ delivers remarks.

7. Gov. Sherrill delivers remarks.

8. Garden State Equality Acting ED Brielle and Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing Lauren pose for a picture.

9. Gov. Sherrill signs the bill.

10. Gov. Sherrill hugs Sen. Majority Leader Ruiz after signing the bill.]

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08/20/2026

WIN: Gov. Sherrill just signed into law a bill to shield New Jersey’s reproductive and transgender healthcare patients and providers in New Jersey from abusive out-of-state legal processes.

Patients and providers of this medically necessary, best-practice, legally protected care here are now only subject to the laws of our state and the federal government.

New Jersey has decisively declared today that we believe in protecting our providers and their patients from politically motivated attacks on bodily autonomy and self-determination.

This moment is the embodiment of what happens when our elected officials lead with conviction and listen to advocates and experts.

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