Happy May! For those finishing the Spring Semester, congrats! School can be tough and you should feel so proud for all your accomplishments! We’re prepping for our busiest month of the year, PRIDE! We hope you’re feeling the excitement too!
Welcome to Spectrum Spotlight, a monthly newsletter offering by NextGen College Ambassadors, Garden State Equality’s latest advocacy program for young adults aged 18-26. We share the latest LGBTQ+ events, jobs and internships, and other ways to build community throughout the Garden State.
NextGen Updates!
Our E-Board met in person at our GSE headquarters for the first time on April 26! We brainstormed ideas to take NextGen to the next (lol) level! We hope you can join us for our member meeting soon! Stay tuned for more details!
Any questions about NextGen?
Email Sawyer at sussner@gardenstateequality.org for more details!
Introducing Transcend U! garden State equality’s new Trans College Advisory Board!
Do you have Trans students at your school looking to get involved? They may be interested in joining an interscholastic Trans College Advisory Board, a collaborative alliance designed to empower college age students to thrive—not just survive—through community support, sharing resources, and meaningful opportunities for growth. College can be an isolating experience, but you have community and allies all across the state. Let's help build a more resilient Trans community!
Jobs & Internships Highlights:
→Social Media/PR Intern
"Abortion Positivity Project works to spread abortion positive messaging through the media channels that have people’s attention including social media and podcasts."
→Junior and Senior Summer Camp Counselor with Garden State Equality!
Want to join us this summer at camp? We have a few spots open for you to experience a leadership outdoor program like no other!
→Receptionist (Full-time)
Support families in crisis with this on-site role at Newark Emergency Services for Familes.
Looking for more opportunities? Click here to see our complete list!
April Policy Updates
By Sawyer Sussner, Garden State Equality Fellow [extraordinaire]
LGBTQ+ Health Research: On May 1, the Trump Administration confirmed that they are canceling nearly $800 million in grants to the National Institute of Health, which would have addressed research for sexual health and minority groups.
Gender Affirming Care for Minors: The Trump administration released a “report” earlier this month, inaccurately depicting gender affirming care for minors. This report promotes conversion “therapy” as well as denying gender affirming care as medically necessary
Transgender Military Ban: On May 6, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Trump’s transgender military ban, which would prohibit trans and gender diverse members of the military from participating in the service. This comes after Trump’s statement that claimed that having a gender identity different from one’s assigned gender at birth “conflicts” with “an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle.”
Click here to see more updates on anti-LGBTQ bills in NJ & around the U.S
Check out these cool events happening this month!
→Transcend Picnic!
Date: Monday May 26 @ 12 pm
Let’s touch grass~~ @ the beautiful Liberty State Park!
→FREE Trans & Nonbinary Community Meetup and Spaghetti Dinner
Food and Trans/GD+ community? Sign us up!! And its a sober event!
Date: Sunday May 25 @ 2 pm
Looking for more events? Click here for more LGBTQ+ events happening near you!
⋆˚✿˖°Monthly Gems for Nextgen ⋆˚✿˖°
An uplifting affirmation from the magical Garden State Equality Project Manager, Hime.
Meditation May
Hey y'all <3
You are near the end of another semester.
Plans have shifted, Classes may have been added or dropped, and the chaos of our current climate weighs heavily on many, AND I am so proud of you for making it until today.
We often are moving in a state of worry, feeling hurried and just trying to last another day.
Some of those worries may include the final study session before a final, those precious minutes before submitting a paper due at 11:59 pm, or feeling like you haven't connected with others due to being overworked or overstimulated.
If you didn't know, May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so I invite you to allow meditation to guide you this month.
This can be done in your favorite place in the world, a special room/place that holds warm memories or wherever you have access to.
You have SO MANY OPTIONS and you choose what works for you based on your comfort level and/or your ability.
Some suggestions that people can engage in are:
Sitting outside in the sun
Chatting with a loved one in a location that soothes your soul
Blowing bubbles
Make a gratitude list
Leisurely sit in the car alone (with silence, music, or chatting with a loved one)
Participate in Garden State Equality’s Community Co-Regulation Virtual sessions
Write affirmations on post-its to place around your place
And so many more.
With every suggestion, my ask is that you are FULLY Engaged and Present in whatever you choose to do.
You deserve care, kindness, compassion, and rest.
Meditation is a way to calm your min,d which may lead to a state of calm and mental clarity.
After Winter, Spring blooms.
This May, please lean into meditation in a form that works for you.
You are welcome to incorporate it however often you would like into your life so I encourage you to AT LEAST try a form of meditation once after reading this.
As always, I am so proud of you for making it to this day.
Whatever you are working towards (a degree, a new job, new relationships, etc.) , I wish lots of luck and send you magical vibes for the rest of your May.