Garden State Equality has canceled its holiday party, which was set to take place today Dec. 18, following the resignation Tuesday of now former Executive Director Christian Fuscarino, who is facing criminal charges related to child abuse.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, acting Executive Director Brielle Winslow-Majette announced the LGBTQ civil rights organization’s decision to cancel the party and said that funds intended to host it will be given to “youth-serving organizations.” “The Garden State Equality team will use this time for reflection, and we look forward to gathering with our community in the new year to refocus on the work ahead of us,” Winslow-Majette said in the statement.
Fuscarino, who had led GSE since 2016, has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child by a caretaker and two counts of simple assault following an incident that took place Nov. 9 at his Neptune City home in Monmouth County, according to arrest papers. Fuscarino was a “resource parent,” known as a foster parent in other states, to a male child. Law enforcement authorities say Fuscarino pulled the child out of bed, struck him in the face multiple times and pushed him into a wall several times.
Tomorrow’s party was going to be the first holiday party held at the organization’s new headquarters at 308 Main St. in Asbury Park.
Winslow-Majette, who had been the deputy director, said GSE’s mission remains unchanged. “Our priority has always been, and will remain, advocating for LGBTQ+ communities in New Jersey to experience lived equality,” she said.
