Hackensack, NJ – On Tuesday, June 7, The Bergen County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus held its inaugural Pride Celebration & Convention at the Alemantary Brewing Company in Hackensack. The event brought together representatives from nearly two dozen municipalities, including Christopher Hillmann from Hasbrouck Heights, the only openly gay Councilperson in Bergen County. “We are the 11th LGBTQ+ County Caucus in the Democratic State of New Jersey and we look forward to supporting future candidates county-wide,” Hillmann stated. First elected in 2017, Hillmann has worked in several levels of government and is well-known in the Democratic Party for his dedication to the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality.

Elections for the Executive Committee took place during the convention and five new Officers were selected. Anthony Paradiso, who previously served as Interim Chairperson, was one of the two Co-Chairs elected at the meeting. “I am looking forward to continuing to lead the Caucus along with my Co-Chair, Diane Scarangella,” Paradiso said. “The mission of our caucus is to recruit and empower LGBTQ+ candidates which would support the election of diverse representation within all levels of local and county government. We will embrace equity and inclusion, educate about racial, social, and economic justice, and support the funding that would address the needs of our LGBTQ+ community in Bergen County.”

The newly elected Executive Board Members are:

Female/Non-Binary Co-Chair, Diane Scarangella, of Leonia
Male/Non-Binary Co-Chair, Anthony Paradiso, of Waldwick
Vice Chair, Christopher Cannella, of Lodi
Treasurer, Kate Stutzel, of Emerson
Secretary, Dre Espinosa, of Garfield

Members of the Bergen County Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus will be present at several local Pride Festivals and Flag Raising events throughout the month of June. All are welcome to come out to the festivities and learn more about the Caucus’s current and future plans.

Visit the Bergen County Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus on Instagram @BergenDemsLGBTQ and on Facebook @BergenCountyNJLGBTQDems.

For official requests, please send an email to: BergenDemsLGBTQ@gmail.com