Eustace & Gusciora Statement on Passing of Edith Windsor

            (TRENTON) – Assemblymen Tim Eustace and Reed Gusciora issued the following statement Wednesday regarding the passing of Edith Windsor, the LGBT activist and lead plaintiff in a landmark 2013 Supreme Court case that paved the way for marriage equality in the United States:

“Edie Windsor fought for a purpose far bigger than herself, and the legacy she leaves is a reminder that one person committed to a vision can indeed make a difference in this world,” said Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Because of her, a country that prided itself on freedom and equality while also sanctioning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation not only formally recognized that contradiction but took a major step toward righting its wrong. So many in our nation owe a debt of gratitude to Edie, who used love and a sense of purpose as fuel in her push toward equality for all Americans.”  

“Ultimately, Edie Windsor wanted what all of us want – to be seen, heard and respected as our full selves. In the face of institutional injustice, she stood up for herself and, in the process, for all LGBT Americans,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “When her country denied her the right to marry her partner of 40 years, she did so in Canada. When the Internal Revenue Service denied her the right to the spousal exemption available to other married couples, she went to court. She lived her life in defiance of barriers and in unyielding pursuit of equal justice under the law. In doing so, she made the United States of America a better place.”