OUT at Borgata proudly supports diversity and embraces the LGBTQ community: our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender travel enthusiasts, team members, and friends. During Pride Month, we are happy to highlight the work of one of our OUT friends and partners, Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy and education organization. On Sunday, June 7, Garden State Equality will present a special virtual event, “United by Pride,” that guests can participate in, no matter where they are located. We sat down and chatted with Garden State Equality’s Executive Director Christian Fuscarino about the importance of Pride Month and remembering the history of the LGBTQ+ advocacy movement.
1.) Why is Pride important now more than ever?
This Pride Month, it’s more important than ever to remember our history — and who paved the way. The Stonewall Uprising took place 51 years ago, and it was a violent riot against police brutality led by trans women of color. One of those women was Marsha P. Johnson, a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Our community understands what it means to rise up and push back against a culture that tells us we are less than, that our lives don’t matter. As we watch our nation grapple with its long history of racism and and police brutality, we should be reminded where and how the modern LGBTQ movement started and use our voices, our power to stand in solidarity with Black Americans to speak out against and dismantle injustice.
2.) How can allies like Borgata support the LGBTQ community during this time?
3.) Tell us about your June 7 virtual celebration and how our guests can participate?
4.) Anything else you’d like to share including what GSE is doing to aid the community through this time.