Garden State Times

TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly in New Jersey has approved a bill that would establish a state certification process for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. The legislation, championed by Assemblyman Don Guardian, aims to provide recognition and support for LGBTQ-owned businesses in the state.

Guardian, expressing the importance of the bill, highlighted the growth of LGBTQIA+ representation in the Assembly, stating, "Last session, I was the only member of the LGBTQIA+ caucus of this Assembly. This year, we’ve doubled our membership. I am grateful to share the stage with Luanne and we are proud to represent our community in the Assembly, but to get anything done we are going to need at least 39 of our brothers and sisters to join us today."

The bill, which solidifies an LGBTQ business certification program initiated by Gov. Phil Murphy in May 2022, garnered 61 votes in favor from the Assembly. Guardian emphasized the significance of rectifying past injustices, remarking, "Businesses tolerating that behavior were wrong then and they’d be wrong today. And today, at this moment, we in the legislature have the opportunity to right those wrongs."

Certified LGBTQ-owned businesses provide a valuable network, legitimacy, and competitive edge in the market, as explained by Guardian, "This certification is helpful for networking, for legitimacy and for standing out in a highly competitive market." The certification process requires that businesses be solely owned by LGBTQ+ individuals or have at least 51% of owners in partnerships, joint ventures, and corporations identifying as LGBTQ+.

Guardian emphasized the importance of visibility and recognition for LGBTQ-owned businesses, stating, "With this bill we are allowing the LGBTQIA-owned businesses to be recognized and remain visible. It ensures that the state’s certification program continues to succeed and gives the LGBTQ community the peace of mind and security that only a state law can bring."

The bill now heads to the governor's desk for final approval, marking a significant step towards supporting and empowering LGBTQ-owned businesses in New Jersey.