Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce, the 2018 Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, scheduled for Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park in Rahway. Admission is free to this inclusive celebration of family, equality, diversity and community.
“Standing firmly in support of equality, inclusion and unity, the Freeholder Board is proud to offer LGBTQ and ally parents, teens, children and advocacy groups a place to connect, support and celebrate together,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Pride events matter – in addition to celebrating who you are, Pride events raise awareness of inequalities and provide a platform for support and acceptance of all people. The Freeholder Board is proud to bring together our diverse community and public figures with shared values of justice and equality to use our voice to celebrate unity and promote equality.”
A celebration of all families, Union County’s Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will feature music, a variety of arts and crafts (featuring the “LOVE Makes a Family” poster making), family lawn games (think giant jenga-style stacking blocks), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, playground fun, and many other family activities. Families are invited to pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park for an afternoon of fun! Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.
A Family Equality Rally will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances. Bring a hand-held signs that celebrates the strength of our diversity.
“As a Freeholder representing the interests of all Union County residents, I believe it is extremely important to lead our communities toward acceptance of all people and advocate for full equality,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic provides an opportunity for our community to stand in unity to celebrate our diversity and support each other.”
New Jersey LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations will be set up on site all day with general information, as well as support and networking resources.
Organized by the Office of LGBTQ Services and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic is an inclusive community event for LGBTQ families, allies and advocacy groups.
In January, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced the launch of the new Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the new LGBTQ office is the first county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.
“The current administration in Washington has created a platform to discriminate and create an environment of fear,” noted Chairman Granados. “Through the Office of LGBTQ Services, the County is dedicated to building awareness of needed protections and advocating for LGBTQ equality, in addition we will be persistent in advancing programs, resources and services to support LGBTQ individuals and their allies.”
The Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, will provide a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serve as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.
For more information about the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the UC Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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