New Jersey Law

 Prohibits Discrimination Based on

Affectional or Sexual Orientation

 Under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD), it is unlawful to discriminate because of Race, Creed, Color, National Origin, Nationality, Ancestry, Age, SEX, AFFECTIONAL OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, Atypical Heredity Cellular or Blood Trait, Liability for Service in the Armed Forces of the United States or Mental or Physical Handicap.

 Areas covered include:

·        EMPLOYMENT

·        HOUSING

·        PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION

·        CREDIT

·        BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS

The HATE CRIME Law provides that if a crime is committed and it is established that it is based on any of the areas covered by the LAD, the punishment will be more severe than it would have been without the involved bias of one of the covered areas.  As an example, when a person being assaulted is called a faggot, Jew, or nigger.

There is a Hate (or Bias) Crime unit in the Prosecutors Office in each County.  This unit is involved any time a bias crime is reported.  The Bias Crime Unit sends representatives to the County Human Relations Commissions, that gives the Community and the Prosecutors Office  direct communications regarding the Hate Crimes that take place in the county.   The Bias Unit also generally participates in Diversity Training with the City Human Relations Commissions and Police Departments in the County.

This sheet was originally prepared for a handout while visiting High Schools to participate in Diversity Training. The material is not intended to be a complete reference but is designed to stimulate conversation with the students and to serve as notes for some of the information covered.  The material is prepared and presented by Gay and Lesbian Political Action and Support Group (GayPASG).  Messrs. John C. Campbell and Richard J. Harrison are Co-Founders and Sponsors.

Mr. Harrison is Director of Applications Development at HBO in NYC. He was involved with Diversity Training at work while with AT&T and has served on the County Human Relations Commission.  Mr. Campbell is retired from a career with the VA Hospital system, has served as Co-Chair of the Middlesex County Human Relations Commission, is a member of the Advisory Board to the NJ HRCouncil, is a Baron of the Magna Carta and describes himself as a "Wannabe Humanitarian." Messrs. Harrison and Campbell were joined in Civil Union in Vermont on July 2, 2000.  They are available to assist with and sponsor Diversity Training and encourage the building of bridges between organizations working for basic human rights.  They make their home in Edison and can be reached at:

Gay and Lesbian

 Political Action and Support Group

P.O. Box 11406, New Brunswick, NJ 08906-1406

732 744-1370   FAX: 732-744-1368

Send mail to email@gaypasg.org with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: May 15, 2008 by Outstanding Web Stuff