Trans Inclusive Safe Schools Bill Passes in New Jersey

[TRENTON, NJ] - The New Jersey Assembly voted 74-0 (with 2 abstentions) today to approve a transgender inclusive safe schools bill. The bill was approved by the Assembly education committee last Monday, after GRAANJ, GLSEN, the NJ Lesbian and Gay Coalition, and other progressive and allied groups presented powerful testimony in support.

The State Senate Education Committee approved the bill by a 6-1 vote in May. It is unknown when the full Senate will vote on it, but supporters are optimitstic.

If approved, this will be the first piece of statewide legislation in New Jersey to contain "gender identity and expression" as a separate protected category.

GRAANJ representatives also took part today in a briefing session in Trenton organized by Lambda Legal Defense concerning a suit that will be filed next week seeking to have the state's refusal to allow same-sex marriages declared unconstitutional. The representatives were warmly welcomed by the NJLGC, Stonewall Democrats and Lambda as partners in this effort.