Union County's new Office of LGBTQ Services is the first county government office of its kind in New Jersey.
Joining Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados (center left) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski (left) and coordinator of the new Office of LGBTQ Service Danni Newbury (4th from right) with her wife Christina Wilson at the Union County Reorganization ceremony event.The office will serve as a center for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals, according to the county.
Topics the office will address include housing, education, health, public safety and community engagement.
The county, in 2016, was also the first in New Jersey to open an Office for Women, which focuses on the issues of health care, addiction, aging and sexual violence.
Created through Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados' 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the LGBTQ Services office will be run by Danni Newbury, who currently works in the county's Office of Public Information and also spearheaded last year's first Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic.
"It's an honor and I'm kind of humbled by the opportunity to serve families and individuals who sometimes feel like they don't have a voice," said Newbury. "I have this opportunity to work with them and lead them to opportunities for themselves and really show them that Union County is a welcoming community."
According to Granados, the office will have an annual budget of between $20,000 and $30,000.
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In addition to advocacy and workshops, residents will be able to view online a list of federal and state legislative decisions on LGBTQ issues, and other areas of interest to the LGBTQ community and their allies.
"In 2017, there's already 129 anti-LGTQ state bills (across the United States) being introduced and as elected officials here in Union County, we want to make sure that we don't let (those behind the anti-LGBTQ bills) use their voice," said Granados. "I think it will have a strong impact because we'll bring everyone to the table and listen to everyone's viewpoint and make sure we improve the quality of life for all of our residents."
Currently, the office is preparing for a round table in February to discuss programs, services and issues with organizations that serve the LGBTQ community.
In June, the office will host include the Union County LGBTQ PRIDE flag raising ceremony, kicking off PRIDE Month as well as the second annual Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic.
Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo.
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