Garden State Equality Raises Over $100,000 During 10th Annual Equality Walk Weekend

This weekend, Garden State Equality held its 10th Annual Equality Walk Weekend—its largest grassroots fundraiser of the year—and exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000. In addition to locations in Atlantic City, Montclair, and Asbury Park, this year’s Equality Walk Weekend expanded to a fourth location in Trenton. Over 1,000 New Jerseyans came out to support Garden State Equality across the four cities.

“In our tenth year hosting the Equality Walk, the passion New Jerseyans have for LGBTQ equality shows no signs of slowing down,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality. “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.”

“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,” said Michael Spadoro, Equality Walk Director. “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.”

Public officials attended each Equality Walk, offering their support to Garden State Equality and its initiatives, including Governor Jim McGreevy, Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, MVC Commissioner Sue Fulton, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, and Mayor Robert Jackson in addition to numerous county and municipal officials.

All of the funds raised for the Equality Walk Weekend support Garden State Equality’s community programs for building safe schools, expanding affirming healthcare, and protecting older adults. In addition, the funds will support Garden State Equality’s work to advance pro-equality policies. Garden State Equality has announced an ambitious legislative agenda to ban the gay and trans “panic defense,” reform New Jersey’s archaic HIV criminalization laws, secure statewide funding for homeless LGBTQ youth, and pass a bill of rights for LGBTQ older adults.

The success of this year’s Equality Walk Weekend was bolstered by generous sponsorships from pro-equality companies throughout New Jersey.

Silver Sponsor ($10,000+)

Commvault

Bronze Sponsors ($5,000+)

1906

Asbury Park Brewery

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Casino Redevelopment Authority

Enterprise

Lyft

New Jersey Natural Gas

Nissan

RentAsburyPark.com

Sackman Realty

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

VNACJ’s LGBTQ Center for Health & Wellness