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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 22/05/2025

We're grateful for the outpouring of support we've received from community members, advocacy groups, and fellow unions since we announced our campaign last month. Our unionization is all in an effort to allow us to better serve you and all of New Jersey's LGBTQ+ communities. 🩷💜

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 22/05/2025

WE WON! Yesterday, Garden State Equality Workers United was unanimously elected as the union to represent the staff of Garden State Equality. #WorkersRights = #LGBTQ Rights! #NJ #NewJersey #union #unionproud

Over a pink background: "WE WON! Garden State Equality Workers United"

"Yesterday, Garden State Equality Workers United was unanimously elected as the union to represent the staff of Garden State Equality.

While we would’ve preferred to not have had to go through the election process, we’re proud to have maintained unanimous support from those who were allowed to vote, something we’ve enjoyed since we formed our union."

"This victory represents the next step toward securing lived and legal equality in our workplace. It also represents a continuation of the long legacy of organized labor in the fight for queer and trans liberation.

We are proud to join that history and set a precedent for both movement workers and organizations, be they advocating for their own rights or empowering those who advocate for themselves."

"We look forward to entering into good-faith negotiations with Garden State Equality and creating a more equitable and sustainable workplace for everyone involved in the operation of our historic, movement-defining organization.

Workers’ Rights are LGBTQ+ Rights!"

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 01/05/2025

Thank you so much for the support! Solidarity forever 🩷💜

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 21/04/2025

"In order to be innovators in advocacy work, we have to remain dedicated to building sustainable systems. Union representation is the additional support we need to continue fighting for equity." - Larissa Garcia (they/she), GSEWU member. gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

On the left, Larissa gives remarks during an event at the Garden State Equality headquarters. On the right is the following quote:

"In order to be innovators in advocacy work, we have to remain dedicated to building sustainable systems — even when it's hard. Union representation is the additional support we need to continue fighting for equity."
Larissa Garcia (they/she), GSEWU member and Community Organizer at Garden State Equality.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 21/04/2025

"So, when we're talking about intergenerational legacies and taking care of each other — as Black and Brown folks — it can mean so much to be part of something bigger than you are." - Lucas Manrique (he/him/él), GSEWU member Learn about us at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

On the left, Lucas smiles at the camera in front of the New Jersey Statehouse. On the right is the following quote:

"My grandfather was a union welder, and the fact that the union took care of him allowed my family to show up for me, a Colombian, first-generation American. So, when we're talking about intergenerational legacies and taking care of each other — as Black and Brown folks — it can mean so much to be part of something bigger than you are."
Lucas Manrique (he/him/él), GSEWU member and Project Manager & Trainer for Health Equity & Wellness at Garden State Equality.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 21/04/2025

"We’re unionizing foremost because we care deeply about the success of our organization and the ability of every employee — whether rank-and-file or management — to do this work equitably and sustainably." - aedy miller (they/she), GSEWU member. gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

aedy stands in front of a blue wall. Over her is the following quote:

"We’re unionizing foremost because we care deeply about the success of our organization and the ability of every employee — whether rank-and-file or management — to do this work equitably and sustainably."
aedy miller (they/she), GSEWU member and Communications Manager at Garden State Equality.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 19/04/2025

"I feel immense pride to carry out our mission of advocacy everyday. Forming a union is another way of advancing that same mission." - Nat Hernandez (she/they), GSEWU member and Project Manager at Garden State Equality. Learn about us at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

"As an employee of Garden State Equality, I feel immense pride to carry out our mission of advocacy everyday. Forming a union is another way of advancing that same mission."
Nat Hernandez (she/they), GSEWU member and Project Manager & Trainer for Education & Youth Development at Garden State Equality.

On the left, Nat gives a presentation at a symposium. On the right is the above quote.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 19/04/2025

"In this journey of advocacy, this workplace has been one of the best I have been in AND ALSO I believe there is room for growth." - Hime Thomas (fae/they/she), GSEWU member and Project Manager at Garden State Equality. Learn about us at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

"In our workplace we talk often of the unity or community so this union is another way to foster it. In this journey of advocacy, this workplace has been one of the best I have been in AND ALSO I believe there is room for growth."
Hime Thomas (fae/they/she), GSEWU member and Project Manager & Trainer for Education & Youth Development at Garden State Equality.

Hime poses in front of some art. Over faer is the same quote as the caption.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 18/04/2025

"I believe deeply in the power of collective care and that every voice deserves to be heard." - Aleyah Lopez (she/her), GSEWU member and Project Manager at Garden State Equality. Learn about Garden State Equality Workers United at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

"I believe deeply in the power of collective care and that every voice deserves to be heard. At Garden State Equality, we fight for justice and equity every single day; and organizing is how we can embody those values within our own workplace."
Aleyah Lopez (she/her), GSEWU member and Project Manager & Trainer for Health Equity & Wellness at Garden State Equality.

On the left, Aleyah sits on a couch at the Garden State Equality tent at Jersey Pride. On the right is the same quote as the caption.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 18/04/2025

"I’m excited about starting and joining a union because it’s a powerful step toward fairness, respect, and having a real voice at work." - Dwana Young (she/her), GSEWU member and Program Manager at Garden State Equality. Learn about us at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

"I’m excited about starting and joining a union because it’s a powerful step toward fairness, respect, and having a real voice at work. Together, we can create lasting change and build a workplace where everyone thrives."
Dwana Young (she/her), GSEWU member and Self-Healing Communities Program Manager at Garden State Equality.

Dwana speaks into a megaphone underneath the Garden State Equality tent at Jersey Pride. Along the bottom is the same quote as the caption.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 18/04/2025

"Decentralizing power in every way is the key to actualizing collective liberation for everyone." - @rwebberjr.bsky.social (he/him), GSEWU member and Executive Assistant at Garden State Equality. Learn about Garden State Equality Workers United at gseworkersunited.org #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ #union

"Decentralizing power in every way is the key to actualizing collective liberation for everyone. I’m excited to unionize because I think that if anyone should be an industry leader in that very thing, it should be organizations like ours whose key goal is social justice and lived equity."
Reginald Webber Jr. (he/him), GSEWU member and Executive Assistant at Garden State Equality.

On the left is a photo of Reginald. On the right is the same quote as the caption.

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Reposted by Garden State Equality Workers United

Workers United NY/NJ @workersunitednynj.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

A warm welcome to our new union siblings @gseworkersunited.org !

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 16/04/2025

We just presented our petition! Check out our statement on why we're organizing and how we look forward to working with management, the executive staff, and our boards on this process — because all of us deserve equality at work. #NJ #NewJersey #unionproud #LGBTQ

Garden State Equality is a leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy, education, and wellness in New Jersey, while also creating a model of policy, strategic innovation, and structure for LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide to follow.

Our ethos is centered around the notions of anti-racism, self-determination, and collective people power. We don’t just advocate for the thousands of people we serve; we provide them the resources and support they need to advocate for themselves. We trust grassroots communities to know what they need better than we ever could.

Garden State Equality Workers United is asking that the things we practice and preach externally reflect what we practice and preach internally.

As employees of Garden State Equality, we are working in a world that makes our very existence difficult. Each one of us is honored to answer the call to serve in these impossible times through such an incredible organization. Yet, there are increasingly heavy demands made of us all that must be addressed.

The necessary, righteous work our morals compel us to do should not come at the cost of our mental, physical, and emotional health. We are asking for the implementation of genuine safety measures, transparency and involvement in organization-wide decisions, and fairer wages, among other equitable changes.

With our organization’s twentieth anniversary celebration coming to a close, we now look toward the future. Just as our organization’s new headquarters is a promise to New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ communities that we aren’t going anywhere, Garden State Equality Workers United is a promise that we will fight for each other’s tomorrow.

We welcome the collaboration of management and the executive staff in this process — because we all deserve equality at work.

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Garden State Equality Workers United @gseworkersunited.org · 16/04/2025

Hi! We're Garden State Equality Workers United, the union for employees of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy, education, and wellness organization. We're #unionproud. Let's get to work. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #NJ #NewJersey #LGBTQ

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