N.J. Legislature
Strengthens Transgender Protections

The New Jersey state assembly voted 65-10 on Monday to extend the state's hate-crime and school bullying protections to transgender residents, according to Garden State Equality, one of the advocacy groups that helped to draft the legislation. The bill, which passed 35-0 in the state senate, now moves to the desk of Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who is expected to sign it into law.

As a result, New Jersey's protections against transgender bias crimes will be among the strongest in the nation, according to Garden State Equality officials.

"This is a massive, historic win that fuels our momentum to win marriage equality at year's end," Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality, said in a press release.

The legislation, also supported by the New Jersey Anti-Defamation League and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force, will additionally require that new police officers undergo two hours of hate-crimes sensitivity training. It also protects residents on the basis of national origin and mandates that public schools distribute anti-bullying policies and post them on their websites. (The Advocate)