In the wake of a deeply concerning election outcome, we, the undersigned, call upon our community members, allies, and leaders across New Jersey to stand united in action. This pledge is a call to our state Legislature and all New Jerseyans: we must strengthen and safeguard the protections that make the Garden State a safe haven for all LGBTQ+ people — especially BIPOC transgender and gender diverse communities — and affirm our collective commitment to equality.

While we have built some of the strongest protections in the nation for queer and trans people in New Jersey, the future under a federal administration with anti-LGBTQ+ positions casts a long shadow over our rights, safety, and dignity. For those living in hostile states and with the imminent threat of federal policies targeting us, New Jersey must remain a beacon of hope — a place that LGBTQ+ people across the nation can look to for solidarity, community, and refuge.

The risks are real. A Supreme Court aligned with an anti-LGBTQ+ agenda could endanger hard-won rights for both us and our allies. The potential for progress to not just halt but reverse is likely. Rollbacks could take away marriage equality, protections for LGBTQ+ workers, critical advancements in healthcare, immigration, and vital efforts to end the HIV epidemic. In the face of these threats, we must act with urgency.

We must show up for our transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse siblings, who have fought in lockstep for women’s rights, civil rights, and the rights of cisgender queer people. Transgender communities have borne the brunt of attacks, hateful rhetoric, and harmful legislation, and yet we continue to call on them in every major movement. It is our turn to answer the call, and ensure that not only can transgender youth believe that they can live into adulthood, but that they can thrive in a world where they are protected, affirmed, and seen.

Our Asks:

Codify LGBTQ+ Protections into Law

We urge the New Jersey Legislature to enshrine critical protections for LGBTQ+ people, ensuring that our state laws will remain a firewall against federal rollbacks. Our legislators must codify protections for transgender and gender diverse people, especially for students in public schools. Let us safeguard our community’s right to live, love, work, learn and thrive without fear of discrimination or harm.

Support Local LGBTQ+ Organizations

New Jersey may be a small state; yet we possess immense local strength. With more than 600 municipalities, local organizations play an essential role in our communities. From healthcare to housing to education, local LGBTQ+ organizations provide daily, lifesaving services, advocacy, and connectedness. These are critical to combating isolation, fear, and despair. In times of federal hostility, we rely even more on these grassroots efforts to sustain our communities. We call upon our leaders and residents alike to invest in and amplify the impact of these organizations, particularly in times of crisis.

Preserve New Jersey’s Role as a Safe Haven

As more LGBTQ+ people and allies look to states like New Jersey for safety and solidarity, our commitment to local support must be paramount. We ask every New Jerseyan to join us in preserving our state as a place of refuge, strength, and support for all who seek a better life.

Protect LGBTQ+ Students

Ensure the implementation of current standards for inclusive and medically accurate sex education and improve protections for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming students against bullying and discrimination.

Unite in the Face of Anti-LGBTQ+ Efforts

Legal protections, support, and commitment to safety are crucial in defending LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans from likely influx of hate and harm. Our state, elected officials, and communities must also unite in defense of our communities — visibly and vocally. It is no longer enough to quietly show face and move on; in an era of uncertainty and equivocation, radical allyship is necessary. Queer and trans people must see and hear — loud, clear, and without reservation — from those in positions of power that we are safe in our home state.

Take the Pledge:

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable New Jersey. Sign on to this pledge today and show our state, and our country, that New Jersey stands on the right side of history. In this crucial time, let us protect, uplift, and empower our LGBTQ+ communities, and ensure our values are reflected in the protections we build.

In solidarity,

Garden State Equality
African American Office of Gay Concerns
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
Atlantic County Queer Alliance (ACQA)
Barnegat Pride
Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice
Boonton Rainbow Pride
Central New Jersey GLSEN
Cherry Hill Women’s Center
Cognicare Psychological Services, LLC
Concinnate LLC
Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies
Diversity & Equal Opportunity Network Incorporated
EDGE New Jersey
Equality Cape May
Facilities Partners & Solutions
Fair Lawn PRIDE
First Congregational Church, Montclair
Fitz by Horan
Flemington QTs
Garden State Rainbow Sports
Haddon Township Equity Initiative
Hammonton Pride
Hyacinth Foundation
Iris House Inc
Jersey Pride Inc.
Lavender Consulting
League of Women Voters of New Jersey
Leonia PRIDE
LGBTQ RAIN Foundation
Make It Better for Youth
Make the Road NJ
Metuchen Pride
Mixed Media Arts, LLC
Moorestown Pride
National Organization For Women – NJ
New Jersey Citizen Action
New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce
Newark Pride, Inc.
NJPAC LGBTQ+ Advisory Council
Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective
North Jersey Pride
Office for Social Justice and Diversity, Montclair State University
Out In Jersey Magazine
Out Montclair
OutFront Metuchen
Peak Secondhand
PFLAG Collingswood
PFLAG Cranford-Union
PFLAG Jersey Shore
PFLAG Paramus
PFLAG Robbinsville
PolicyMap Inc.
Rainbow Elders of NJ
Rutherford Pride Alliance
Seaside Pride
Shiv’s Third Eye
Spectrum Health and Wellness, LLC
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Sussex County Pride
The Center in Asbury Park
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
The Pride Center of New Jersey
Toms River Pride
Trans Equity Coalition
Trinity Church and Trinity Center for Community, Asbury Park
TRUE 2 BU
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County
Unity Fellowship Church NewArk
We Belong Cape May County
Wolfe & Kron Books
YWCA Northern New Jersey
Zed’s Beer