School District Regrets Deleting Gay Kiss
By JEFFREY GOLD Associated Press Writer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A Newark city school district that ordered staffers to use markers to black out a picture of a male student kissing his boyfriend from all copies of a school yearbook now says it regrets the decision.
Superintendent Marion A. Bolden issued an apology to the student, Andre Jackson, according to a statement released by the district on Monday.
"The decision was based, in part, on misinformation that Mr. Jackson was not one of our students and our review simply focused on the suggestive nature of the photograph," the district said.
"Superintendent Marion A. Bolden personally apologizes to Mr. Jackson and regrets and embarrassment and unwanted attention the matter has brought to him," according to the statement.
The district said it would reissue an "un-redacted version" of the 2007 yearbook to any student of East Side High School who wants one.
Bolden, through a spokeswoman, declined a request for an interview.
Jackson planned an afternoon news conference with Garden State Equality, a gay rights group, which has condemned actions taken by the district last week.
Previously, Bolden had described the picture, which showed Andre Jackson, 18, kissing boyfriend David Escobales, as "illicit."
"If it was either heterosexual or gay, it should have been blacked out. It's how they posed for the picture," Bolden told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Saturday's editions.
In the 4 1/2-by-5-inch photo, Jackson is seen turning his head back over his right shoulder and kissing Escobales, 19, of Allentown, Pa. It was blacked out after Russell Garris, the district's assistant superintendent who oversees the city's high schools, told Bolden he was concerned that the photo could upset parents.
The photo was among several appeared on a special personal tribute page in the yearbook.
Jackson, who paid $150 for the page, questioned the decision to black out the photo, noting that the yearbook is filled with pictures of heterosexual couples kissing.
"There is no rule about no gay pictures (or) no guys kissing," Jackson has said.
Newark public schools have about 42,000 students.
The district is the state's largest and is one of three in New Jersey that are under state control. It is among 31 districts in the state's neediest areas that get special financial aid.
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007 from the Press of Atlantic City
An Editorial from the Atlantic City Press sent to us via GABLES in Cape May County
EDITORIAL
CIVIL UNIONS Equality? Not quite
The state Supreme Court ruled clearly and sensibly last fall: Same-sex couples must be able to get exactly the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples. The Legislature doesn't have to call it marriage, the majority said — but the rights and responsibilities of the union must be the same.
The ruling gave the Legislature wiggle room to head off controversy about the word “marriage” and give same-sex couples full legal equality under the title of “civil union.” The civil-union law passed quickly even though some gay couples — and Chief Justice Deborah Poritz, in her minority dissent — argued that nothing short of the word “marriage” is true equality. Words matter, they said, and the term “civil union” would not be as widely respected nor understood as the term “marriage.” Now, four months after the law went into effect, 1,092 civil unions have been performed. This much is clear: State law does not — and perhaps can not — give true legal equality.
According to Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality, his organization has gotten 148 informal complaints, representing a full 13 percent of the civil unions performed, that employers are not granting health and other benefits to partners in civil unions. Certain employers with benefits that are covered by federal laws are claiming an exemption from the state law.
Civil Union Bill is passed and signed by the governor.
On Thursday December 14 the Civil Union Bill was approved by overwheming majorities in the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly. Governor Corzine signed the bill into law. Starting on February 19 the first Civil Unions license forms will be filed in New Jersey.
The Civil Union Bill was introduced in both houses of the State Legislature as A-3787 sponsored by Asm. Wilfredo Caraballo (D-Newark) and S-2407 sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) and Senate President Dick Codey (D-West Orange). It is not the bill that the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) wishes was approved.
Please take a moment to send an email to certain members of the Legislature to remind them that while Civil Unions are a step in the right direction and we thank them for getting us 90% of the way to full equality, that the GLBTI community knows what we deserve -- Marriage! In all of the testimony on both sides of the issue in the Judiciary Comittee hearings, it was said over and over again that this is a faulty bill that will not bring an end to the debate or the problems of inequality that some New Jersey couples are facing daily.
15th District Assemblyman Reed Gusciora's Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act (A-3685) was not heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee or the Senate either. TGLCA, and all of the GLBTI groups across New Jersey beleive that this would have been a much better bill. Please contact your legislator by visiting the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition at http://www.njlgc.org to find out how easy it can be to contact your New Jersey legislator.
TGLCA Inc. 12/7/06 Press Release regarding the proposed Civil Union Legislation
The Trenton Gay & Lesbian Civic Association, representing hundreds of members in the Mercer, Burlington and Hunterdon County areas, wishes to express it’s serious concerns regarding the inadequacies of the civil union legislation now pending before the New Jersey Legislature. The New Jersey Supreme Court gave a clear and simple mandate to the legislature – equalize marriage for same-sex couples. The only issue left in doubt was the name by which such unions would be known. Far from responding in a clear and simple way to this uncomplicated court order, the legislature has devised a bill of over 60 pages in length, Byzantine in its convolutions and in some parts, possibly contrary to the intent of the court. Not only will this bill be difficult to interpret and enforce, it will in no way serve to lay the overriding issue to rest. Indeed, its very nature virtually demands further litigation and serves only to protract the issue well into the future at great expense of time and money for the state of New Jersey and all concerned.
There are many problems with the current bill that concerns our civic association, below are the highlights we wish to point out:
History has shown that separate is never equal. The Civil Union Bill is a complicated and lengthy bill that attempts to foresee all possible problems in New Jersey law in order to assure that civil unions are afforded the same equal rights and responsibilities as marriage law affords opposite sex couples. It is quite possible, and we think it is probable, that the bill can not address every possible problem to assure equality to same sex couples without using the words spouse and marriage.
In order to receive the benefits of a Civil Union a same sex couple must add their names to a public document that states unequivocally that they are a same sex couple. This is a form of bias and separateness that could put a same sex couple in danger if a third party wishes to verbally or physically harass or attack the couple. It is not far from the days of the McCarthy hearings on communism – except in this instance the state government is directly aiding and abetting the parties that may wish to harm a same-sex couple.
We can have the benefits of a divorce, but not marriage. This speaks for itself on how the Civil Union bill is treating the equality of our relationships.
By creating a new series of word and law structures in the legislation to explain what a civil union is, the legislature is creating real obstacles to equal rights for same sex couples. In other words, the more pages it takes in the Civil Union Bill to explain the new partnership status the more problematic it may become for the legislature to make sure the bill does not in inadvertent ways create additional inequality for New Jersey couples gay and straight.
It has been a well-established principal in this country for almost two generations that separate is NOT equal. The membership of our organization, the entire gay and lesbian community and, indeed the people of this state are weary of this issue. We want it settled once and for all with fairness and true equality for all. This bill not only does not settle the issue, it ensures the struggle will continue and will certainly intensify. We ask the legislature, in simple common sense, how does this serve the public good?
“Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act.” is introduced.
November 20, 2006 - “Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act.” introduced by 15th District Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA of Princeton. He represents - Ewing Township, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Pennington Borough, Princeton Borough, Princeton Township, Trenton City. The Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association applauds Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and his cosponsors for a reasonable and forthright answer that speaks to true marriage equality for all New Jersey families as was ordered by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
THE BILL:
ASSEMBLY, No. 3685 , STATE OF NEW JERSEY, 212th LEGISLATURE, INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 20, 2006 Sponsored by: Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA, District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS: Enacts the “Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced.
An Act concerning a legally recognized union of two consenting persons, amending R.S.37:1-1 and R.S.37:1-3 and supplementing Title 37 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) This act shall be known and may be cited as the
2. (New section) It is the intent of the Legislature that this act be interpreted consistently with the guarantees of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and of Article I, paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution.
3. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Civil marriage is a legal institution recognized by the State in order to promote stable relationships and to protect individuals who are in those relationships. The institution of marriage also provides important protections for the families of those who are married, including not only any children or other dependents, but also members of their extended families.
b. On October 25, 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that denying rights and benefits to any committed couples that are statutorily given to others violates the equal protection guarantee of Article I, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution. The court held that to comply with this constitutional mandate, the Legislature must either amend the marriage statutes to include those couples or create a parallel statutory structure which will provide, on equal terms, the rights and benefits enjoyed and burdens and obligations borne by married couples.
c. The exclusion of couples from marriage harms those couples and their families by denying them and their families specific legal rights and responsibilities under State law and by depriving them of a legal basis to challenge federal laws that deny access to the many important federal benefits and obligations provided only to spouses. Those federal benefits include the right to file joint federal income tax returns, the right to sponsor a partner for immigration to the United States, the right to Social Security survivor’s benefits, the right to family and medical leave and many other substantial benefits and obligations.
d. New Jersey’s discriminatory exclusion of certain couples from marriage further harms those couples and their families by denying them unique public recognition and affirmation.
e. The Legislature has an interest in encouraging stable relationships.
f. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this bill to end the pernicious practice of marriage discrimination in New Jersey.
4. (New section) “Marriage” means the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship. Whenever the term “marriage” occurs or the term “man,” “woman,” “husband” or “wife” occurs in the context of marriage or any reference is made thereto in any law, statute, rule, regulation or order, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the union of two persons pursuant to this amendatory and supplementary act.
5. R.S.37:1-1 is amended to read as follows:
37:1-1. Certain marriages prohibited.
A man shall not marry any of his ancestors or descendants, or his sister or brother, or the daughter or son of his brother or sister, or the sister or brother of his father or mother, whether such collateral kindred be of the whole or half blood. A woman shall not marry any of her ancestors or descendants, or her brother or sister, or the son or daughter of her brother or sister, or the brother or sister of her father or mother, whether such collateral kindred be of the whole or half blood. A marriage in violation of any of the foregoing provisions shall be absolutely void.
(cf: R.S.37:1-1)
6. R.S.37:1-3 is amended to read as follows:
37:1-3. Where license to be obtained.
The licensing officer shall issue the license which shall be obtained:
a. In the municipality of this state in which [the female] either party to the proposed marriage resides; or
b. In the municipality in which [the male party] one of the parties resides, if the [female] other party is a nonresident of this state; or
c. In the municipality in which the proposed marriage is to be performed, if both parties are nonresidents of this state.
(cf: R.S.37:1-3)
7. (New section) In addition to the fee for issuing a marriage license authorized pursuant to R.S.37:1-12 and the fee for the Department of Human Services trust fund authorized pursuant to P.L.1981, c.382 (C.37:1-12.1 and C.37:1-12.2), each licensing officer shall collect a fee of $50 from the applicants which shall be deposited into the General Fund.
8. (New section) No minister of any religion authorized to solemnize marriage and no religious society, institution or organization in this State shall be required to solemnize any marriage in violation of the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Article I, paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution.
9. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1) shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
10. This act shall take effect on the 90th day following enactment, except that the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill, which would be titled the “Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act,” is in response to the recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision mandating marriage equality to all consenting couples in the State. The bill provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the act be interpreted consistently with the guarantees of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and of Article I, paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution.
The bill’s findings and declarations provide that civil marriage is a legal institution recognized by the State in order to promote stable relationships and to protect individuals who are in those relationships. The institution of marriage also provides important protections for the families of those who are married, including not only any children or other dependents, but also members of their extended families.
On October 25, 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that denying rights and benefits to any committed couples that are statutorily given to others violates the equal protection guarantee of Article I, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution. The court held that to comply with this constitutional mandate, the Legislature must either amend the marriage statutes to include those couples or create a parallel statutory structure which will provide, on equal terms, the rights and benefits enjoyed and burdens and obligations borne by married couples.
The findings and declarations set out in the bill provide further that the exclusion of certain couples from marriage harms them and their families by denying them specific legal rights and responsibilities under State law and by depriving them of a legal basis to challenge federal laws that deny access to the many important federal benefits and obligations provided only to spouses. Those federal benefits include the right to file joint federal income tax returns, the right to sponsor a partner for immigration to the United States, the right to Social Security survivor’s benefits, the right to family and medical leave and many other substantial benefits and obligations.
The findings and declarations also provide that the Legislature has an interest in encouraging stable relationships.
Under the bill, “marriage” would be defined as the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship. The bill provides that whenever the term “marriage” occurs or the term “man,” “woman,” “husband” or “wife” occurs in the context of marriage or any reference is made thereto in any law, statute, rule, regulation or order, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the union of two persons pursuant to the bill.
The bill also adds an additional marriage license fee of $50 for all applicants for marriage. These funds would be deposited in the State General Fund.
The bill specifically provides that no minister of any religion authorized to solemnize marriage and no religious society, institution or organization in this State would be required to solemnize any marriage in violation of the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Article I, paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution.
New Jersey Supreme Court rules that all couples regardless of sexual orientation deserve the same rights according to the New Jersey State Constitution
TRENTON- (October 25, 2006)- The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, October 25, that all New Jersey citizens - which includes lesbian and gay couples - have all of the rights to equality under the New Jersey State Constitution. In the landmark same-sex marriage case they ruled that the New Jersey legislature has 180 days to decide how that will happen in regards to marriage equality. For the full opinion in pdf format go to http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/opinions/supreme/a-68-05.pdf
TGLCA hosts a fundraiser at Mill Hill Playhouse
TRENTON- (August 23, 2006) - "Transworld - the Transgender History of the World" was presented as a fundraiser for Trenton's Annual Gay Pride Festival - Capital Rainbowfest last evening. The play ended with a standing ovation for its creator and star Jade Eseban Estrada. The special event was succesful in raising additional funds for producing Capital Rainbowfest V to be held next month on Sunday, September 17 from 1-6 pm in Mill Hill Park at E. Front and S. Broad Streets in Trenton.
Afterwards, Jade spent over an hour chit-chatting with those in attendance about many transgender issues. Jade commented on how "absolutelu lovely" the Mill Hill Playhouse was for a perormance artist. He also promised to return next year with his new play "ICONS III" - The expected conclusion of his long-running and award-winning series of plays on the Gay and Lesbian History of the World. David Nixon, Capital Rainbowfest President, asked Jade to consider being the emcee at next years Capital Rainbowfest in 2007. Jade replied, "I already have it booked - when is that again?"
The play was sponsored by the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association in cooperation with the Mill Hill Playhouse owned by the City of Trenton, Douglas H. Palmer, Mayor. Maintained by the Department of Recreation and, Natural Resources and Culture, Francis E. Blanco, Director.
Washington State Supreme Court denies same-sex couples the freedom to marry.
(July 26, 2006) - Today’s decision in Washington State by their State Supreme court was another blow to marriage equality in the U.S. for same-sex couples. But the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) and many local analysts say it is no indication of how the New Jersey Supreme Court might rule on marriage for same-sex couples in the very near future.
“The decision in Washington State was based on that states constitution which is very different from New Jersey's state constitution.” Said TGLCA Vice President of Administartion Peter Frycki, “The decision in Washington State also had to consider the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that was passed by that states legislature. There is no DOMA in New Jersey.”
The Washington State Court upheld the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), ruling against marriage equality. The decision was 5-4. The court said, “We have engaged in an exhaustive constitutional inquiry and have deferred to the legislative branch as required by our tri-partite form of government. Our decision accords with the substantial weight of authority from courts considering similar constitutional claims. We see no reason, however, why the legislature or the people acting through the initiative process would be foreclosed from extending the right to marry to gay and lesbian couples in Washington. It is important to note that the court's role is limited to determining the constitutionality of DOMA and that our decision is not based on an independent determination of what we believe the law should be.”
Analysts are expecting a decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court any day now, although it could come as late as October. Many activists and organizations working within the gay community believe the New Jersey court decision will be very different. Steven Goldstein of Garden State Equality (GSE) said “On LGBT rights as well as on other social issues, New Jersey law has long been different from the laws of other states. Additionally, New Jersey courts have been among the most fair-minded in the country.”
Several groups have plans for the day of the New Jersey court decision. GSE’s “Night of The Supreme Court Decision Rally” will take place at 7 p.m. on the day that the decision is announced in Trenton. The rally will be at the Unitarian Church of Montclair (67 Church Street). This is a free event that will hopefully be a celebration. GSE’s Post-Decision Rally in South Jersey will take place at 7 p.m. on the second night after the decision, at 207 Main Street, Moorestown.(In other words, if the decision is on a Monday, this event will occur on Wednesday.
The Trenton Gay & Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) in association with GSE and The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition will hold a rally at the Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton the afternoon that the decision is announced. Everyone who can attend is encouraged to be at the State Supreme Court’s Hughes Justice Complex by 11 a.m. if possible but no later than noon. The Complex is located just off of Route 29 on Market Street in Trenton. The TGLCA phone machine will be updated the morning of the decision with details. The number is 609-396-9788. Get in the habit of listening to a New Jersey news program on TV or radio during breakfast. Also, check morning emails early. "Those will probably be the best ways to find out if “today’s the day.” says TGLCA president Marc Fleidner.
Capital Rainbowfest V to feature singer Jade Starling
TRENTON- (June 1)- Capital Rainbowfest Inc. (CRI) the producers of Trenton's Annual Pride Festival are proud to announce that this year's headliner is the band Pretty Poison featuring singer Jade Starling who is best known for her late '80s hit "Catch Me I'm Falling." The festival will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 1-6 p.m. in Trenton's Mill Hill Park at the corner of E. Front and S. Broad Streets.
This year the festival will be bigger and better than ever says David Nixon, president of CRI. He promises many new vendors and attractions in 2006.
CRI is looking for more help with the festival preparations. The volunteers that produce the event meet at 7:30 pm at the CRI offices located at 986 S. Broad Street, in Trenton every 2nd and 4th Wednesday night - Please use the left side entrance. CRI welcomes new volunteers and interested individuals and couples to join them in 2006 in planning for Capital Rainbowfest V.
Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association Will Present Fourth Biennial Trenton Triangle Awards On May 21
TRENTON - On Sunday, May 21 from 3-7 p.m. the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) will present The Trenton Triangle Awards to nine individuals who helped to make Trenton, Mercer County and New Jersey a better place for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersexed (GLBTI) community. This will be the fourth awards event which has been held every two years since 2000.
The Trenton Triangle Award will be presented to 15th District Assemblywomen Bonnie Watson Coleman for her support in early 2004 of the landmark New Jersey Domestic Partnership Law. Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes will be honored with a Trenton Triangle Award for his support of the GLBTI community as a county Freeholder for so many years and his recommendation to the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders to offer Domestic Partnership benefits to county employees this past winter.
Garden State Equality (GSE) Chair Steven Goldstein will be an award recipient for his work with both Lambda Legal Defense and GSE in the groundbreaking marriage equality town hall series since 2003 and his leadership with GSE. Barbara Casbar will be honored for her leadership with the New Jersey Stonewall Democrats, work with the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition and GSE.
Trenton businessman Chris Rivenburg, owner of Café Ole at 126 S. Warren St., will be a Trenton Triangle Award recipient for his generous support of TGLCA ’s Trenton Q-Nite coffeehouse at Café Ole every Friday evening from 7-10 p.m. over the past one and one half years. Trenton residents and businessmen John Hatch and David Henderson will be award recipients for their support of the arts and historic preservation efforts throughout the capital city and their steadfast and generous support of the Trenton GLBTI community over many, many years.
Out in Jersey magazine publisher Peter Frycki and Out in Jersey magazine editor Toby Grace, both Trenton residents, are receiving awards for providing New Jersey with a statewide independent GLBTI publication since 2002 and their many years of service to both TGLCA and several other GLBTI groups in many different and varied capacities over many years.
Invitations will be available shortly for the Fourth Biennial Triangle Awards. Invitees will enjoy a deluxe buffet dinner and live entertainment and dancing afterwards. If you are not on the TGLCA mailing list and would like an invitation please call 609-396-9788 or e-mail info@tglca.com for more information. Tickets are available for $40 per person with a discount of $5 for TGLCA members.
TGLCA announces the Board of Trustees for 2006
TRENTON - (February 6, 2006) - At the January Annual Membership meeting of TGLCA the Nominating Committee recommendations for new Trustees was accepted. Joining the Board for 2006 are Sallie Dorsey and Mark Fleidner. Outgoing 2005 TGLCA President Robert Laczko and Treasurer Thomas Burns retired from the Board. The Board met again on Monday, February 6 to elect officers.
The 2006 Trustees and positions are: MarK Fleidner- President, Peter Frycki - Vice President of Administration, Steve Dovidio - Vice-President of Outreach, Sallie Dorsey - Treasurer, Deborah Cole - Recording Secretary , Non officer Trustees for 2005 are Tadri Edmonds, Leslie Jones and Bob Carnevali. There is one officer position currently vacant and one open position on the Board for 2006 that the Board hopes to fill soon. Interested candidates should call 609-396-9788 or email info@tglca.com. You must be a paid and active member for 2006 and be nominated and accepted by a majority of the current Board.
2005 president Robert Laczko Thanks every member of the Association that attended the Annual meeting. The new Board will meet with the membership every third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at The Mill Hill Saloon, 300 S. Broad St., Trenton. Everyone is welcome to attend and the Board welcomes your input and your interest.
Ocean County Freeholders reverse their earlier Decision
TOMS RIVER - (Saturday, January 21) - The Ocean County Freeholder Board changed their mind and offered Domestic partnership benefits, including full pension rights, to Lt. Laurel Hester and her domestic partner, Stacie Andree on Friday, January 20. Previously, the Freeholder Board had said they would not be able to offer the benefits and had used several excuses that gay activists across New Jersey would not accept.
Bergen and Hudson County had offered the same benefits many months earlier. Several other counties, including Mercer, Passaic, Camden and Monmouth had added the benefits for their county employees in just the past few weeks partially due to the story of Lt. Hester in Ocean County. Gay activists throughout the state credited Garden State Equality’s Steven Goldstein as the point person in the fight for a job that was very well done.
Lt. Hester who is very ill with cancer and is not expected to live much longer said "This is one of the happiest days of my life," from her home in Point Pleasant on Saturday morning. "I feel like David conquering Goliath. Most of all, I want to thank Garden State Equality [GSE], without which this amazing reversal never would have happened. Garden State Equality led the public education campaign, organized thousands of New Jersey citizens on my behalf, drew the attention of journalists from across the world, and flooded the freeholder meetings with crowds larger than the freeholders had ever seen before. This reversal never would occurred with Garden State Equality."
This is one of the happiest days not only of her life, but also of my life and that of our organization," said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality. "Truth be told, we did lose hope for a reversal in the last couple of weeks. We had applied all the pressure in the world, embarrassing the freeholders and few public servants had ever been embarrassed before in the state of New Jersey or in this country, and they would not budge. Finally they did. Hallelujah! There is a God.
"The difference wound up being Lt. Hester herself, whose video testimony we produced and showed at last Wednesday's freeholder meeting touched the hearts of people across Ocean County - and across the world."
"But Laurel Hester and her partner Stacie never should have gone through this hell. If there were marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples in New Jersey, the Ocean County Freeholders never would have had the opportunity to torture Lt. Hester like this in the last months of her life."
"But now that the Ocean County freeholders have done the right thing, we thank them with all our hearts and welcome them to the New Jersey of the 21st Century, where compassion and common-sense prevails over hatred and outmoded homophobia."
The video of Laurel Hester is at Garden State Equality's website, www.GardenStateEquality.org
Excerpts from the TRENTONIAN on Wednesday 11/23/05- By PETE DALY, Staff Writer
Mercer County Passes Domestic Partnership Benefits for County Employees
TRENTON -- In a move toward extending rights to gays, the Mercer County freeholders unanimously adopted a resolution last night that allows domestic partners of county employees to share benefits. The resolution -- given to the freeholder board with a strong recommendation of approval from county executive Brian Hughes -- passed 6-0 and will take effect immediately.
It extends the health and pension benefits of county employees to their same-sex partners, provided the couple is registered under the state's domestic partnership law. Mercer follows Hudson, Bergen, Essex and Union counties in approving the law.
"Some people will say we're trying to create an alternative lifestyle when it really comes down to basic civil rights of people," Hughes said. "If someone registers with the state of New Jersey, they may have a joint bank account, they may have joint custody of children, or they may share a domicile. We think it's a matter of civil rights for someone to share the same benefits as their partner."
Like state workers, county employees participate in the State Health Benefits Program and the N.J. Public Employees Retirement System. Hughes said the new law makes sense because state employees were granted the same rights last year, but the decision of extending health and pension benefits of county and municipal employees was left to local governments. "Why someone working for the county would have less civil rights than someone working for state when both are in the same state pension system doesn't make any sense," Hughes said.
Freeholder chairwoman Ann Cannon agreed, saying the decision to extend rights to domestic partners is warranted but that the county needs to be careful to secure the records of county employees who might register for benefit-sharing. "It's just a basic thing that people have a right to, but we need to make sure it's not abused and also that people's identities are protected," she said.
No county employee has approached the administration to share benefits with a domestic partner so far, according to Hughes. But Pete Frycki, vice president of administration for the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association, said the law is symbolic as well as practical. "It's something we've been counting on since (Hughes) stated he thought it was a good idea about six months or a year ago," Frycki said. "State employees have had it for quite a long time along with several other municipalities in New Jersey since domestic partnership was legalized in June 2004. It's been a year and a half since, and it's about time the county of Mercer enacted this legislation."
The Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) is awarded "Civic Project of the Year."
TRENTON - (Friday, November 4, 2005) - TGLCA was honored at the Trenton Council of Civic Associations (TCCA) Annual Awards Banquet at the Trenton Country Club tonight for its sponsorship of the Trenton Q-Nite Coffeehouse series. The award was in recognition of TGLCA's ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in our city. TGLCA President Rob Laczko accepted the award on behalf of the membership.
Trenton Q-Nite is now in its second year of providing live entertainment every Friday night from 7-10 pm at Cafe Ole, at 126 S. Warren St. in downtown Trenton. The TCCA commended TGLCA for showcasing over 40 singers, songwriters, comedians and spoken word artists over the last year. Barry Wilcox, TCCA's 2005 President, said "The event brings people to downtown Trenton who might not otherwise have reason to visit downtown on a Friday night. It provides an opportunity to showcase our city by drawing Trentonians and suburbanites back downtown on Friday nights, 50 weeks a year."
Incoming TCCA President, Alysia Welch-Chester, said she was proud of all of the Awardees this evening. During the Awards closing speech she mentioned all of the various diverse groups that make up TCCA. She remided those in attendance that the gay community is a vital part of the great fabric that holds this city together. She stressed that in the coming year of 2006 that all civic groups in the city must join forces to bring our individual flickering lights together so that Trenton can once again be a great city as it was meant to be.
Marilyn Maneely, a plaintiff in NJ's same sex marriage lawsuit passed away
September 7, 2005 - Marilyn Maneely, who with her partner Diane Marini joined six other same sex couples in challenging the state of New Jersey for the right to marry, passed away today after a brave battle with ALS. It is with a heavy heart that TGLCA and the statewide New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition (NJLGC) reports her passing.
By joining Lambda Legal's lawsuit for same sex marriage, Marilyn and Diane made their private life personal, and brought their family into the lives of all of New Jersey's GLBTI community.
"I didn't get a chance to know Marilyn well," said NJLGC Prsident Laura Pople, "but you didn't need to spend much time with her to realize what a devoted partner and mother she was. Always dignified and quietly passionate about her and Diane's rights as a couple, Marilyn's legacy to NJ's community will be longlasting."
Reports that Diane wasn't able to carry out all of Marilyn's last wishes because she wasn't Marilyn's legal spouse underscore the pressing need for marriage equality.
We join the entire community in letting Diane and Marilyn's family, and Diane herself, know that they are in our thoughts.
Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) Celebrates 10 Years
Rob-Nancy-Don_2005_TGLCA_10th.jpg Pictured Above Clockwise From Top: TGLCA President Rob Laczko with past Presidents Donald Healy and Nancy Hillman.
TRENTON - (Saturday, May 7, 2005) Tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) celebrated its 10th year of service to the GLBTI community of Trenton at a GAYLA event held Ellarslie Mansion - the Trenton City Museum.
The evening included a “Taste of Trenton” deluxe banquet buffet courtesy of many of Trenton’s best restaurants, and small businesses. There was live music and a silent auction.
It has been an exciting decade for TGLCA which started with a few dozen members in 1995 by holding a monthly meeting. Since then, it has sponsored many special events in the State Capital. These include, the Annual Picnic which grew to become Capital Rainbowfest in 2002, the “Tours of Trenton” advertising campaign in 1997-98 and “Equality Begins At Home” with the NJLGC /PLF at the Patriot’s Theater in 1999. Later that year, the entire organizations Board, plus over 50 members, chartered a bus for the Millennium March on Washington D.C.
In recent years, the monthly dinner OUT nights, weekly live entertainment coffeehouse and biennial “Trenton Triangle Awards” have become a vital part of the community fabric in the Trenton area. TGLCA also participates every year in several Pride events in other communities as part of its mission to promote Trenton as a great place to live, work and visit. TGLCA’s offices were opened in 2002 at 986 S. Broad St. where several groups meet for self-help and committee meetings. TGLCA is put together a complete retrospective timeline of each of the last 10 years. The Timeline was a big hit on display during the Anniversary event.
The 10th Anniversary celebration was held in conjunction with Capital Rainbowfest Inc. the newly incorporated organization that will produce Trenton’s Pride event on September18, 2005. All donations to the Silent Auction and over the ticket price went toward funding the NAMES Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt display at Capital Rainbowfest.
Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) opens a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersex Book, Tape and CD Lending Library.
TRENTON - (May 2, 2005) - Hundreds of books, dozens of tapes and dozens of CD's on GLBTI issues and by GLBTI artists are now available on loan from the new GLBTI Lending Library at the offices of the TGLCA at 986 S. Broad St., Trenton. The offices are open on Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 8 pm. Please call the office at 609-396-9788 if you wish to visit the office to browse our media library. Many of the materials were obtained from TGLCA's membership as donations or were purchased by TGLCA for the library. Some of the books were donated by the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition in 2003. New books and materials are being added on a regular basis and new donations are always welcome. For a complete list call 609-396-9788 during office hours or e-mail info@tglca.com.