Leaders from across New Jersey today announced the formation of Pride Action Fund, a new 501(c)4 organization dedicated to building grassroots political power for the LGBTQ+ community across the Garden State. The organization arrives at a critical juncture as right-wing extremists led by Donald Trump escalate their attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, health care and inclusion.

Pride Action Fund will focus on defending hard-won rights and electing champions who believe in dignity and equality for all New Jerseyans. The organization will serve as the sister organization of Hudson Pride Center, one of the most respected LGBTQ+ service providers in the state, to build a powerful, statewide political voice that complements the Center’s community services.

"New Jersey is our home, and we are organizing to keep it safe and a place where we can grow our families," said Pride Action Fund Board Chair Laura Bustamante. "While our state has long been a leader in equality, those hard-won gains are now under attack. From the White House to our local school boards, we are seeing an organized effort to roll back our rights and erase our community from public life. And while political candidates often show up around election time to court our votes, that is no longer enough. During this time of crisis, we will look to support champions who will fight for our community — and we will hold our elected leaders accountable as we look to invest in key races at every level."

Pride Action Fund will focus its work on three primary pillars:

• Legislative Advocacy: Lobbying at every level of government to pass proactive protections and block extremist bills meant to roll back our rights and access to life-saving health care.

• Grassroots Power: Mobilizing a statewide network of advocates to hold elected officials accountable.

• Electing Champions: Endorsing and supporting candidates who will make LGBTQ+ equality a top legislative priority.

"I have spent over a decade building and expanding LGBTQ+ services in New Jersey because our community deserves real, tangible support," said Elizabeth Schedl, who will serve as Executive Director of Pride Action Fund while remaining Executive Director of Hudson Pride Center. "Those services are critical. They save lives. But I have also seen how quickly policy decisions can undermine that work. Pride Action Fund was created because care and community must be backed by power and protection. We are organizing to ensure our rights, our families, and our future are secured for the long term."

The launch comes as LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans face a perfect storm of federal rollbacks and local attempts to censor our identities in schools. Pride Action Fund will serve as a statewide firewall, ensuring that the Garden State remains a leader in civil rights regardless of the political climate in Washington.

Pride Action Fund will serve as the sister organization of Hudson Pride Center, which provides social services to LGBTQ+ residents of Hudson County, including health care, mental health services and peer support.

Pride Action Fund was launched to support this work, recognizing that true political power is necessary to ensure that LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans are protected and have the resources they need to thrive.

For more information or to join the fight, visit https://prideactionfund.org