SOMA Action LGBTQ Committee Seeks New Members

The SOMA Action LGBTQ Committee invites you to join us at our next meeting, on Wednesday, August 8, at 7:30 PM. We also invite you to bring ideas that we, as a committee, as well as our parent organization, SOMA Action, can work on to improve the lives of LGBTQ people and others at a local, state, and national level. We have been quite active this year, but with your help, there is always more we can do.

We organized the annual SOMA Equality March and the Day of Decision Rally (on the day the Masterpiece Cake Shop decision was released). We proposed and championed the rainbow crosswalks in Maplewood, the recently passed gender neutral restroom ordinance in Maplewood, and the annual Pride Month declaration and rainbow and trans flag raising. We are working with Assemblywoman Mila Jasey to pass a law requiring LGBT awareness training for 'Aging Services' providers in NJ, and undertaking other initiatives related to LGBTQ seniors, LGBTQ youth, and LGBTQ healthcare.  We plan to organize a large SOMA contingent for next year's Stonewall 50th anniversary Heritage of Pride March in New York City.

We advocated against the Republican farm bill that would slash spending for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (a.k.a, "food stamps"), which would disproportionately affect LGBTQ people. We have also joined with the larger SOMA Action organization for rallies opposing federal actions that reduce women's rights, minority rights, and LGBTQ rights (e.g., trans in the military), and supporting enhanced gun safety legislation.

Our next meeting will take place Thursday evening, August 8, at 7:30 PM in a local home. We want you and your ideas! We also have key leadership roles available.  For more information, send an email to Steve Mershon at somalgbtq@gmail.com.