New Jersey for Democracy is honored to participate in the New Jersey premiere of Freeheld: The Laurel Hester Story on the evening of May 30th in New Brunswick. Freeheld chronicles a dying woman's simultaneous struggle for life and for justice for New Jersey's LGBTI community -- the story that swept our entire state -- and won the 2007 Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

The free event, sponsored by Garden State Equality, includes a screening of the 38-minute film, a wine-and food reception with director Cynthia Wade, and a panel discussion with Congressman Frank Pallone, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, NJ for Democracy Executive Board member & Ocean County DFA leader Robin Kinlin, and others who fought alongside Laurel Hester.

Click here to join this once-in-a-lifetime event on DFA-Link. (RSVP not required.) 

Last month, Harriette Yahr of MediaRights.org spoke with director Cynthia Wade at the Sundance Film Festival. The interview is republished below.

Tonight, Jeff Grayzel became the first Democrat to win a seat on the Morris Township Committee in over thirty years. In the court-ordered special election, Grayzel beat Republican Joe Calvanelli by a wide 56% to 44% margin.

Jeff Grayzel

In March, the courts ruled Morris Township's election a tie and ordered a special election. Grayzel campaigned against the "injustice and nepotism" on the 5-0 council. His campaign received substantial support from New Jersey for Democracy affiliate Morris County DFA, as well as members from other groups across the state.