TV Commercials Press Transgender Rights

by Matthew Verrinder, AP from 365Gay.com on the Web, December 1, 2005

Trenton, NJ -- A gay and lesbian rights group has bought airtime for a 30-second television ad to back legislation that would expand state anti-discrimination law to include transgender people.

Titled "Carol," Garden State Equality's spot features Carol Barlow, a Clifton woman who claims to have been cold-shouldered by 1,000 potential employers because she is transgender.

"Transgender people are being treated like dirt and it's disgraceful," said Steven Goldstein, the group's chairman.  "The passage of this legislation would rank right up there with legalizing marriage of gay couples as one of the top two priorities of New Jersey's gay and lesbian community."

The legislation is currently before the Judiciary committees of both the Assembly and Senate.

The ad will air 21 times on News 12 New Jersey between Dec. 5 and Dec. 11, most heavily during commercial breaks of its "Power and Politics" program.

Garden State Equality's legal adviser, Leslie Ann Farber, 49, was born a male but started living as a female more than a year ago.

"I've lost a few clients since I've become a woman," Farber said.  "Doors get closed in people's faces, so this bill is crucial."

Current state anti-discrimination law includes only sexual orientation or affection, not gender identity.