jdh@hou5g.UUCP (Julia Harper) (07/11/84)
Does anyone know the status of the gay rights bill in New Jersey? What's the number, and how does it seem to be faring? (If this has been discussed here before, I missed it.)
jdh@hou5g.UUCP (Julia Harper) (07/12/84)
Quoting mail I've received and a pamphlet I have, here is some info about the gay rights bill: On March 15, 1984, Assemblyman Ben Mazur introduced into the New Jersey Assemble Bill A-1721, which will grant Lesbians and Gays in New Jersey legal rights by amending the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. This bill does not extend extra rights and privileges to Gays and Lesbians; it just extends the protection against discrimination which is enjoyed by everyone else in the state. The bill adds the words "sexual or affectional orientation" to the list of protected classes and groups which include: race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, and nationality. This bill will give Lesbians and Gays in New Jersey the same legal protection everyone else has in the areas of employment, housing, public accomodations, credit and loans, and contracts. The gay rights bill (A-1721) is in the Assembly, and sponsors have just been found to introduce it into the Senate. NOW N.J.'s Lesbian Rights Task Force and the N.J. Lesbian and Gay Coalition, along with N.J. Voters for Civil Liberties have joined together to form the CAMPAIGN TO END DISCRIMINATION, the steering committee for working on passage of A-1721. If you would like to donate your time and/or money, please write: CAMPAIGN TO END DISCRIMINATION P.O. Box 245 Roselle, New Jersey 07203 Also, write a thank you letter to the sponser: The Honorable Bennett Mazur 448 Main Street Fort Lee, N.M. 07024 Also, write a letter encouraging your own assemblyperson and state Senator to vote for the bill. (This naturally only applies to people in N.J.) You might also try contacting a local NOW branch. (Writing is important!)