Community Corner

LGBT Advocacy Group Moving From Montclair To Asbury Park To ‘ADA-Compliant Space’

One of New Jersey's largest LGBT advocacy groups will be moving from Montclair. But why are they relocating?

Montclair, NJ – One of New Jersey’s largest LGBT advocacy groups will be moving from Montclair.

Christian Fuscarino, Garden State Equality’s executive director, announced Friday that the nonprofit would be moving its offices from its South Fullerton Avenue location to a new space in Asbury Park.

According to Fuscarino, the move was motivated by a desire to have an office in an ADA-compliant location.

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“[When] I joined Garden State Equality, I knew right away a few things needed to change,” he wrote. “One was our office location.”

Fuscarino said that the organization’s current office is located on the second floor of the Congregational Church's office building. Although the almost 100-year-old building is “beautiful,” it is only accessible via a stairwell, he said.

Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“We cannot be an organization that promotes inclusion when some people cannot even access our office,” Fuscarino wrote. “That is why I am proud to announce that Garden State Equality will be moving its headquarters to an ADA compliant space in Asbury Park, a central location that is both easy to access and easy to get to from most of New Jersey.”

He added:

“Asbury Park has a long history as an LGBT gathering place, a place where many LGBT New Jerseyans have gone to find safety and community even before the start of our movement. Therefore, it is only fitting that Asbury Park will become our new home.”

Fuscarino stated that the group’s space in Montclair will continue to operate and work with local community leaders, volunteers and interns from surrounding colleges, but Garden State Equality’s primary operations will be relocated to Asbury Park.

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Photo: Eric Fischer, Flickr Commons

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