LGBT News

The new Mr and Miss Gay New Jersey were crowned on Sunday, June 15th at Club Paradise in Asbury Park. The theme was "The Wizard of Oz: Journey to the Crown" and was developed by Joey Sky and Victoria Courtez.

Last October, Mayor Steven Fulop hosted a wedding ceremony for eight same-sex couples at midnight, just one second after they were legally allowed to marry. This and many other reasons were considered when the financial blog NerdWallett named Jersey City one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the nation for same-sex couples.

Harmony Ink Press is calling on talented young writers 14-21 years old to submit their short story to be considered in their next anthology volume. Those authors selected will be paid $25-55 for submissions.

Allow Out In Jersey to introduce two cats currently residing at Seer Farms in Jackson, NJ, who have experienced their own form of stigma. Despite being delightful, fun, loving animals, Casey and Prince William are sometimes shunned by prospective adopters because they are FIV+ cats.

The "Gay Beach" in Atlantic City will be official this week. In an effort to embrace the LGBT community Mayor Don Guardian will  announce details about a new LGBT-friendly beach in AC in the traditional spot that it has always been - Park Place and the Boardwalk.

Sand Blast, the largest mid-Atlantic summer gay and lesbian beach party is moving to Atlantic City, NJ, says the event producer, Brad Hurtado. It will be held from Friday, July 18th to Sunday, July 20th. The weekend includes Friday's Lost At Sea kickoff party at the Chelsea Host Hotel to welcome guests, and Saturday's 7-hour Sand Blast Beach Party with DJ Joe Gauthreaux presiding over the dance floor alongside the ocean at the Bungalow Beach Bar.

The ornate lobby of the Main Post Office in Newark provided an excellent setting for the Postal Service's recent celebration of the new Harvey Milk Forever stamp issuance. The celebration included speakers from the Northern NJ Postal District and featured the unveiling of the new stamp. Speakers included Newark Postmaster Michael Deignan, District Manager Steven Hernandez, Postal Diversity Manager Rita Ridley, and Rutgers University LGBTQ Director Maren Greathouse.

Pride month is filled with fun, there are lots of sights to take in, pool parties and outdoor events to attend. Most likely the one thing, or two things that won't be on your mind while you are frolicking in the parade are your eyes. People don't think about their eyes until there is something wrong with them, and then it can be to late, and that's why you need to wear protection, yes, down there, but right now I am talking about a little further north, your eyes.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute named Emmanuel Laboy of Fanwood to the summer class of Victory Congressional Interns. The program places LGBT college students in an internship with an LGBT, or LGBT friendly, member of congress. Laboy was one of eight individuals selected, from an applicant pool of 89.

The newest Gay festival in New Jersey continues to impress the crowds. On Sunday, June 8, many thousands of LGBTs and the local community in Maplewwod celebrated at the North Jersey Pride Festival. The stage show was well recieved and chock-full of great talent and the weather could not be better.