Jennifer Williams Makes History as Trenton’s First LGBTQ+ City Council Member

Three Garden State Equality Action Fund endorsed candidates were officially sworn in at the ceremony

Yesterday, Jennifer Williams was sworn in to Trenton’s City Council, making her the first LGBTQ+ city council member in Trenton and the first transgender person to be elected to a municipal office in New Jersey.

“Jennifer is a lifelong Trentonian and has served Trenton’s community in a number of capacities over the years,” said Jeannine Frisby LaRue, Board Chair of the Garden State Equality Action Fund, which endorsed Williams. “In addition to this historic victory, three of our endorsed candidates were officially sworn at the Capital City’s ceremony. Mayor Reed Gusciora, an out gay and West Ward Councilwoman Teska Frisby , a strong ally joined Williams in our trifecta of endorsed candidates. We applaud them all.”

“We were proud to endorse Jennifer in this year’s election,” said Garden State Equality Action Fund Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. “Her groundbreaking victory means that we are one step closer to making sure that municipal elected officials truly reflect the communities they serve.”

“I am very proud and honored to have been elected as Trenton’s North Ward City Councilperson,” said Williams. “As a lifelong Trentonian and an openly LGBTQ New Jerseyan, I will never forget the importance and historic nature of this day. Being the first transgender New Jerseyan to be elected to a City Council in New Jersey and the first openly LGBTQ person to serve on Trenton City Council are breakthroughs for our community. I am thankful to Garden State Equality for endorsing me and for helping to make this moment happen. Hopefully, many other LGBTQ people around New Jersey will be inspired by our success in Trenton to run for office where they live and to help their own communities.”