Borgata Gives 5K to Assist Transgender Name Changes

Garden State Equality announced a $5,000 donation from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa as part of Borgata's 12 Days of Giving. The contribution will be used to support the assistance Garden State Equality gives to transgender people in New Jersey seeking legal name changes.

Borgata's gift is timely, given a recent rule change by the New Jersey Supreme Court that eliminated the requirement for name changes to be published in a newspaper, making name changes safer and more accessible for transgender New Jerseyans.

"Borgata is thrilled to support Garden State Equality in assisting transgender New Jerseyans with legal name changes," said Liza Costandino, Director of Communications at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. "Borgata has always been strong allies for our vibrant LGBTQ team members and guests, and this program is a wonderful opportunity to assist individuals in the trans community with living authentic lives."

"Access to accurate identity documents is critical for trans people to fully participate in society," said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. "We're so grateful to Borgata for their generous support of New Jersey's trans community."

The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that almost one-third of transgender people who showed an identity document with a name or gender marker that conflicted with their perceived gender were harassed, denied benefits or services, discriminated against, or assaulted.