Garden State Equality endorses Jersey City Mayor Fulop for re-election

Garden State Equality, the largest LGBTQ organization in New Jersey, endorsed Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for re-election.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Steven Fulop has created a city that is a model for the rest of New Jersey,” Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino said in a statement.

“Mayor Fulop has done a remarkable job of making LGBTQ needs a priority and establishing Jersey City as home to one of the largest LGBT populations in New Jersey. He is one of our best allies in the state.”

GSE’s endorsement is also prompted by Fulop’s noteworthy history of fighting for transgender rights. Additionally, Jersey City was the first city in New Jersey to include transgender related healthcare coverage to city employees.

Furthermore, Fulop has made strides to push back against President Donald Trump by signing an executive order making all bathrooms in municipal buildings gender neutral.

“I am incredibly grateful to receive an endorsement from Garden State Equality, who has served as both a leader and partner in our effort to build a more inclusive and welcoming Jersey City,” added Fulop.

“From providing transgender healthcare to city employees, to providing a dedicated LGBT police liaison, to receiving a perfect score on the equality index for several years, we have committed to enhancing the sense of inclusion that has come to define Jersey City.”

Fulop also held the first legal same-sex marriage during a midnight ceremony upon statewide legalization in 2013 and Jersey City has received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s LGBT Equality Index, which measures a city’s commitment to LGBT equality, for four consecutive years.

In 2016, Jersey City was one of only 60 cities nationwide to receive a perfect score in the annual Municipal Equality Index report.