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Power to the Polls: A Feminist Halloween Party with the goal of empowering through a nonpartisan platform will be held 5 pm Sunday at The Asbury, located at 210 Fifth Ave.

The dress as your favorite women in history event is organized by those behind two of the city’s most empowering feminist events in recent years.

Asbury Park Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, and Comedian/Activist Jess Alaimo of the Asbury Park Women’s Convention have joined forces with Dani Fiori and Amanda Kane of the Women’s March to organize what they say will be a fun evening that celebrates women in history and highlights community leaders ahead of the Nov. 6 election. Garden State Equality, the state’s largest LGBTQ support nonprofit has partnered with the organizers, Quinn said. 

“While we have come a long way in terms of social and cultural acceptance in this country, including winning marriage rights, there are those on the political landscape working to chip away or undo hard won inalienable rights,” Quinn said. “We are grateful to The Asbury for their continued support.” 

Democratic Atlantic County Freehold Ashley Bennett, who defeated a longstanding incumbent in her first political race, and former 8th District Assemblywoman Maria Rodriguez-Gregg, who became the first Republican Hispanic woman to be elected to the New Jersey Legislature, will be there to talk about what triggered them to into politics, Quinn said.

Also on the bill are mother daughter activists Madison and Kathleen Boylan of Atlantic Highlands. Through the support of her family, friends and community, 13-year-old twin Madison began to transition at the age of 10, her mother Kathleen said.

“It was the summer before starting fifth grade,” Kathleen Boylan said.  “Since preschool we kind of had a little bit of an idea and basically just followed her lead. We never followed gender norms with either of our children. Although we supported anything she liked or wanted to wear, she really wasn’t ready until that summer.”

Boylan said although she, husband Michael, and Madison’s twin brother Michael Jr lended their support during Madison’s transition, ‘she still had a hyper awareness of what society was telling her she had to be.’

“She never was able to completely put that aside even though we were her biggest supporters,” Boylan said. “Other kids would innocently point out any contradiction between what girls were supposed to like and what boys were supposed to like and she internalized that.”

The duo, who marched in the local Pride Parade in June, will share their story and speak about the legislative challenges brought about by the Trump administration’s newly proposed interpretation of Title IX.

“Transgender people within the LGBTQ community are being hit the hardest right this second,” Boylan said. “It’s still one of the most divisive areas because people don’t necessarily understand it if they don’t know anyone who is transgender or gender neutral, but it’s real and it’s necessary that these individuals have their rights. [President] Obama tried to protect trans youth so they can grow up safely and be identified by educators in the correct way and without threat. This is important because some of these kids [and adults] don’t have the support at home so they need the government to be doing more for them not less.”

Boylan said when Madison heard on the news of the Trump administration’s proposed gender redefining as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth, her response was – ‘What is going to happen to me.’

“That is too scary for young kids, anybody really, but especially children who are looking for these adults to protect them,” she said.

So it is no wonder that a normally quiet and reserved Boylan, immediately turned to Gov. Phil Murphy immediately following their June photo at the Pride walk to ask when he planned to sign the Birth Certificate bill, commonly known as the Babs Siperstein law, Fiori said. It was signed into effect one month later.

“It’s no secret that the transgender community is currently under attack,” Fiori said in a written statement. “That’s why it’s important now more than ever in this country to support and listen to our transgender brothers and sisters.”

Asbury Park’s Feminist Halloween costume party will serve as a fundraiser for women who are running for office, Women’s March AP and the Asbury Park Women’s Convention, which made its debut Feb 24. The inaugural event brought Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Sen Sandra Cunningham, Former Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey together for A Day of Politics, Comedy and Entertainment.

“Being politically-involved and bringing forth real change doesn’t mean having to be boring,” Alaimo said. “This Halloween party is going to be so much fun and it’s also for a great cause — to make sure we vote. I hope even those who are less politically-inclined come out and have a great time.”

Georgies award-winning DJ Tallspeedy [at right] will be spinning during the event, which also celebrates the historic number of women running for office in November. And while costumes are not a must, those who dare don their favorite feminist costume will be judged by a panel of local celebrity judges that includes Paranormal’s Kathy Kelly and Interwoven’s Bianca Freda.

The League of Women Voters will be on-hand to answer any voting questions or concerns as well as Planned Parenthood, the local Project Real and Visiting Nurse’s Association, the Monmouth County Moms Demand Action, and the Trinity Episcopal Church Racial Justice Project. A photo booth and host of local female owned businesses will be on hand in the vendor hall showcase.

A Feminist Halloween runs from 5 to 7 pm Sunday at The Asbury Hotel, located at 210 Second Ave. Admission is $15 and includes contest entry and light fare. For more information, visit APWomensConvention.com or click here for the eventbrite.com listing.

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