Annual Garden State Equality Walk Exceeds Fundraising Goal
Over 1K Participate In Asbury Park, Montclair, Trenton, & Atlantic City Walks
The 10th Annual Garden State Equality Walk Weekend, held Oct. 11-14, not only expanded to four cities this year, it exceeded its $100,000 goal, organizers said in a written statement.
“In our tenth year hosting the Equality Walk, the passion New Jerseyans have for LGBTQ equality shows no signs of slowing down,” said Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. “From banning the gay and trans panic defense to protecting homeless LGBTQ youth, there is still so much more work to do on behalf of New Jersey’s LGBTQ community, and with thousands of committed members across the state standing behind Garden State Equality, we’re going to continue pushing forward.”
Over 1,000 turned out for the Garden State Equality walks held in Asbury Park, Montclair, Trenton and Atlantic City, including former Gov Jim McGreevy, Sen Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, MVC Commissioner Sue Fulton, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, and Mayor Robert Jackson.
“From the steps of the statehouse to the Atlantic City boardwalk and down the streets of Asbury Park and Montclair, Garden State Equality members across the state showed their force this weekend and reaffirmed their commitment to equality,” Walk Director Michael Spadoro said. “With over a thousand New Jerseyans marching alongside pro-equality elected officials this weekend, this year’s Equality Walk was our biggest and best yet.”
All funds raised will support Garden State Equality’s community programs, which include building safe schools, expanding affirming healthcare, protecting older adults, and advancing pro-equality policies. Garden State Equality’s legislative goals include banning gay and trans ‘panic defense,’ reforming the State’s HIV criminalization laws, securing statewide funding for homeless LGBTQ youth, and passing a bill of rights for LGBTQ older adults.
Sponsorship support came from the following companies: Commvault, 1906, Asbury Park Brewery, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Casino Redevelopment Authority, Enterprise, Lyft, New Jersey Natural Gas, Nissan, RentAsburyPark.com, Sackman Realty, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Garden State Equality is headquartered at 1408 Main St. For more information, visit gardenstateequality.org.
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