In a significant moment for New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community, Luanne Peterpaul, a lesbian, secured a groundbreaking win in the state’s Assembly elections, becoming the first openly gay woman to hold this position. Peterpaul, alongside fellow Democrat Margie Donlon, unseated two Republican incumbents, marking a historic turning point in the state’s political landscape.
Peterpaul, a former Monmouth County prosecutor and municipal judge, boasts an impressive track record of LGBTQ+ advocacy. She served as the board chair for Garden State Equality, where she played a pivotal role in the passage of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, a bipartisan achievement. Additionally, she defended challenges to New Jersey’s law prohibiting conversion therapy for minors and contributed significantly to achieving marriage equality in the state.
Expressing her gratitude for the support she received, Peterpaul stated, “I am beyond humbled to have earned the support of Monmouth County residents and am excited to get to work for them every day in the legislature. I am also humbled to be making history as the first openly gay woman elected to the New Jersey legislature. I stand on the shoulders of countless trailblazers who fought for equality and opened the door for people like me to serve my community in elected office.”
Peterpaul’s victory reflects a broader trend in the 2023 elections, with more LGBTQ+ candidates securing wins than ever before, surpassing previous records. This “rainbow wave” signals a rejection of anti-LGBTQ+ tactics and demonstrates the increasing political power of the LGBTQ+ community. Victory Fund President and CEO Annise Parker emphasized, “Equality wins elections — not culture war scare tactics.”
This historic win in New Jersey’s 11th District highlights the ongoing progress in LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy within state legislatures across the United States.