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The State’s largest LGBTQ support organization will hold its largest fundraising event Saturday in Asbury Park.

Garden State Equality, which moved its headquarters to Main Street in the city last year, will hold the Eighth Annual Equality Walk starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, rain or shine.

“This event is an important reminder to folks visiting Asbury Park to go to beaches that people are still marching and walking for equality,” Executive Director Christian Fuscarino said. “Given the political climate, I would hope that more people will join us on Saturday than the amount that has registered so far.”

And while last year’s walk was the largest to date, Fuscarino said the number of registrants thus far does surpass last year’s figure at the same time. But not willing to rest on laurels, Fuscarino is looking to rally a larger awareness.

“With what’s going on in Washington [DC] right now we should be in code red and I feel our community is only in code orange right now. It is absolutely at a level of improvement thus far but not at the level that broad effective change will happen.”

Kicking off at 11 a.m from Kennedy Park, located at the corner of Cookman and Grand avenues, the two-mile walk traverses up Lake Avenue, along the boardwalk and back.

Featured guests once again will include Congressman Frank Pallone Jr [D-NJ] and Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. There will be a silent auction, the National Anthem being sung by Janet Villas, and glitter artist Taylor McPherson.

“This year we continue stepping toward ‘Lived Equality,’ reflecting an emphasis on strengthening our wins in anti-bullying and marriage equality while continuing to push for protections for LGBT youth, seniors and the transgender community through our Teach and Affirm , Map and Expand and Pledge and Protect programs,” a staff member wrote. 

This year’s fundraising goal is $50,000, Fuscarino said. Among those working hard to reach personal goals is Patrick McCluskey, who currently tops the leaderboard.

Teams are welcomed and for those who cannot attend the event can opt to be a Virtual Walker, done by registering and collecting donations online, and wearing a Garden State Equality shirt or pin all day Saturday.

For more information, call  (973) 509-5428, email EqualityWalk@GardenStateEquality.org, or visit their website here.

[Photo courtesy of Garden State Equality]

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