NJ group launches LGBT equality coalition

A local LGBT organization is ready to bring equality statewide. Garden State Equality has formed a coalition of regional and national groups that organizers hope will help win marriage equality and combat bullying in New Jersey schools. The Garden State Coalition for Equality currently consists of eight organizations — Communication Workers of America, Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign, American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey. The coalition was officially launched at a Feb. 19 town-hall meeting at Garden State Equality’s headquarters in Montclair, N.J. Garden State Equality’s new executive director, Troy Stevenson, said the coalition was motivated by the need for more broad-based backing for the LGBT community. “We need as much support as possible and we need a broad spectrum of individuals together to effectively win,” he said. Stevenson said he contacted HRC and Freedom To Marry in order to get the ball rolling. “I asked them for their help and support and we planned how we could work together,” he said. GSE has also enlisted help from other local LGBT organizations and labor groups, Stevenson added, noting that he expects the coalition to continue to grow quickly. Despite Gov. Chris Christie’s opposition to same-sex marriage, Stevenson said he’s hopeful marriage equality will become a reality in New Jersey, with the help of the coalition. “We are going to get back to our grassroots,” he said. “We are currently organizing all over the state and places that have never seen us and the messages we have built. We are mobilizing volunteers throughout the state.” In addition to its legislative goals, Stevenson said he hopes the coalition will show lawmakers and others the determination of the community and its allies. “We hope to win marriage equality and stop bullying, but we also hope to show a broad range of support so that legislators know exactly what they are up against.”