Gay activist excoriates New Jersey’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization

A prominent gay rights activist and political columnist publicly excoriated New Jersey’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization, accusing it of prioritizing partisan politics and protecting corrupt officials over the community it claims to serve.

Jay Lassiter, a long-time political consultant and columnist for Insider NJ, issued a blistering critique of Garden State Equality (GSE) just as Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation shielding out-of-state patients and doctors seeking abortion or gender-affirming care.

While Lassiter praised the governor’s action, he argued the milestone occurred “despite Garden State Equality,” not because of it.

“Today’s milestone happened despite Garden State Equality,” Lassiter wrote in a social media post. “Not because of them.”

Lassiter, an HIV-positive recovering addict and the creator of the award-winning podcast “Heroin Uncut,” accused the organization of functioning as a “separate wing of the NJ Democratic Party” rather than an independent civil rights advocate.

He alleged the group spent years sabotaging legislation that did not originate with its leadership, including a bill supporting LGBT-owned businesses that he said languished for over four years because GSE was not receiving proper credit.

“They literally tanked a pro-LGBT bill because it was an initiative driven by other organizations,” Lassiter wrote.

The activist further accused GSE of aligning with disgraced figures and political insiders. He specifically cited the group’s support for former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Tammy Murphy, the wife of former Governor Phil Murphy.

“Prioritizing and supporting shitty Democrats like Bob Menendez and Tammy Murphy,” Lassiter stated. “Where I come from, nepotism is corruption. But for Garden State Equality, political nepotism is just another day at the office.”

Lassiter claimed the organization was “busy helping Bob Menendez’ son get elected to Congress” instead of advancing LGBTQ-friendly legislation.

He also accused GSE’s previous leadership of protecting its former executive director, Christian Fuscarino, after he was accused of allegedly abusing a foster child. Lassiter claimed the board and top staff largely stayed silent, prioritizing spin over protecting a child.

“That asshole was clinging to power for as long as he could, and his board + top staff for the most part said nothing,” Lassiter wrote. “So they were too busy trying to spin a scandal to push LGBT legislation towards the goal post. Or to protect a child from abuse.”

Additionally, Lassiter criticized the group’s refusal to work with Republicans, its focus on cultural issues he described as “intractable, humorless culture war bullshit,” and its alleged mismanagement of funds, claiming their largest fundraiser “actually loses money.”

Lassiter is a veteran of New Jersey politics, having worked as a campaign professional and commentator.

He was the first credentialed blogger to cover the New Jersey State House and has written extensively on civil liberties and the opioid crisis. He previously served on the board of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey.

Lassiter’s criticism got some support.

“I am the constituent who emailed Andrew Zwicker in 2023 when he introduced the first version of the gender affirming care bill that led to Gov. Murphy’s executive order,” said Stefania Gabriela Olochwoszcz. “I reached out to GSE as soon as that first bill was introduced and never heard back. I was ignored by GSE’s director of advocacy – until she personally attacked me for calling out their total lack of effort to advance the bill. Jay has seen the receipts.”

Garden State Equality has long been considered one of the state’s most influential advocacy groups for the LGBTQ community. The organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Lassiter’s specific allegations.