Another rally is planned in Trenton to urge lawmakers to pass a bill that would provide protections for those seeking gender-affirming and reproductive care.
According to a news release by progressive advocacy organizations WADEIn NJ and The Equality Network, “a broad new coalition of transgender adults, healthcare providers, parents of transgender youth, community leaders, and lawmakers will rally” at 11 a.m. Monday (Jan. 5) at the State House Annex Courtyard, 145 State St.
“The state needs to act to protect trans people from the dangerous and undemocratic attacks on lifesaving care for transgender individuals. New Jersey has been at the national forefront of protecting the LGBTQ+ community. To put their values aside for political gain is to abdicate legislative duty to protect the rights of their constituents,” Louise Walpin, co-lead of WADEIn NJ, said in the release.
The planned rally would follow one that took place Dec. 8. That rally was convened by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey and comprised about 30 other progressive advocacy groups. In addition to the bill addressing gender-affirming and reproductive care, those at the December rally advocated for bills pertaining to immigrant rights, voter rights, climate change, rights for incarcerated elders, and strengthened protections against police use of force.
The Jan. 5 rally is expected to focus on getting protections contained in Senate Bill S3491 and Assembly Bill A4656 passed by Jan. 12, before the new legislative session begins.
According to a synopsis of A4656, the bill “[s]ecures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states.” Those health care services encompass gender-affirming and reproductive care, including abortion.
A4656 was introduced June 25, 2024. It is sponsored by Assemblywomen Shanique Speight, D-29, Ellen J. Park, D-37, Garnet R. Hall, D-28, and Annette Quijano, D-20, and is co-sponsored by 34 other Assembly members.
“New Jersey, through this act, will codify critical protections to those seeking and providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care. Further, this act is intended to ensure that anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ persons cannot harm patients or providers,” Section 1.f of the bill states.
S3491 was introduced June 24, 2024. It is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Teresa M. Ruiz, D-29, and Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari, D-22, and is co-sponsored by 17 other senators.
If the Senate and Assembly bills do not get voted on in their respective chambers during this legislative session, they would have to be re-introduced.
Advocates want the measure passed because conservative states that have tight restrictions, if not all out bans, on things such as abortion have been trying to prosecute out-of-state providers and patients seeking that kind of care.
For example, a grand jury in Louisiana, which has a near-total ban on abortion, indicted a New York doctor in January 2025, alleging the physician provided abortion medication through the mail to a mother’s minor daughter. The mother also found herself in legal trouble. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected Louisiana’s demand that the doctor be extradited, citing the Empire State’s shield law, like the measure New Jersey is considering.
Scutari did not respond to a question as to whether he will be bringing S3491 to the floor for a vote. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, D-19, said she could not comment on whether A4656 will be brought up for a vote.
Coalition partners, in addition to WADEIn NJ and The Equality Network, include SOMA Action, Knitty Gritty JC Social Group, Jersey City LGBTQ Alliance, Indivisible Cranbury, Desi Rainbow, and United Progressive Democrats, according to the release.
