Making LGBTQ-owned businesses more visible in the state is a priority for Assemblyman Don Guardian (R-Atlantic), who is one of the few openly gay members of the Legislature. Guardian is spearheading a bill to permanently create a state certification process for LGBTQ+ business owners.
The legislation would give the owners the potential to win funding, contracts, and other programs offered by state agencies. Despite getting widespread support, the bill drew some criticism but that did not deter Guardian.
“I think we’ve been working very hard for the last 40, 50 years in New Jersey, trying to have an equal playing field,” Guardian said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. “We’ve certainly addressed this with minority, women, veterans, and it seemed to be logical to bring in the LGBTQIA+ community to be in the same category.”
