New Jersey Assembly Approves Transgender Inclusive Safe Schools Bill

Contact: Donna Cartwright
GRAANJ (Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey)

TRENTON, June 20, 2002 --- 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 not known when the full Senate will vote on it, but prospects
appear good.

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. We were warmly welcomed by the NJLGC,
Stonewall Democrats and Lambda as partners in this effort.

###