Important News from Garden State Equality

Last week, Missouri's attorney general announced new rules that would effectively end access to transition-related healthcare—not only for minors, as in other states, but also for adults. This is an alarming escalation and a direct attack on the health and well-being of all trans people in Missouri. The rules claim to be enforcing the state's Merchandising Practices Act, which is a horrendous misuse of consumer fraud laws. As New Jersey residents, we're fortunate to live in a state where such laws were actually used to protect LGBTQ+ people. In 2015, a judge ruled that conversion therapy violates New Jersey's consumer fraud laws and is therefore illegal.

Please visit PROMO's website to find out how you can support our friends in Missouri who are working hard to battle these attacks by their state government.

In Florida, Equality Florida issued a travel advisory last week, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering travel or relocation to the state. The advisory comes in response to a wave of discriminatory laws that have been and are continuing to be passed in Florida, including attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, reproductive rights, people of color, gun safety laws, and public education, including banning books and censoring curriculum. The NAACP and the Florida Immigrant Coalition have also issued similar advisories in the last month.

We know that many in New Jersey's LGBTQ+ community have ties to or enjoy traveling to Florida. Please consider making a donation to Equality Florida in lieu of making a trip to Florida during this time.

In solidarity,

Christian Fuscarino Executive Director Garden State Equality