Housefire on Ward Place results in resident's death, ECPO investigates
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Cecilia Cranko, a well-known local LGBT activist, died in a fire at her home, 231 Ward Place in South Orange, on Friday, July 5. In the wake of this tragedy, the community has come together to remember Cranko and support her family. At approximately 2:39 a.m., units from the South Orange […]
MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Maplewood and South Orange communities mourned the recent loss of Barbra “Babs” Casbar Siperstein, the Edison woman who crusaded for LGBT rights in New Jersey and nationally. Siperstein died of cancer at age 76 on Feb. 3, just two days after the “Babs Siperstein Law” went into effect; […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Barbra “Babs” Siperstein, an army veteran, small business person and New Jersey native, died Feb. 3 at age 76, prompting South Orange to lower its flags to half-staff to honor the longtime activist. Siperstein was known as one of New Jersey’s most prominent LGBTQ activists and was instrumental in securing protections […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In 2018, Maplewood saw a lot of growth, both in its culture and physically. In addition to new businesses and residents coming to town, Maplewood upgraded infrastructure, invested in safety and showed pride in its diversity. Maplewood made national news on June 7, when it installed New Jersey’s first permanent rainbow-striped crosswalks […]
FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Jewish Family Service of MetroWest will begin offering a support group for parents of LGBTQ+ youth this November. This group is intended for parents whose child is first coming out or has already come out. It will provide parents a safe space to find the support and resources they need and […]
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Newark Academy’s Arts Department presents “The Laramie Project” as this year’s fall drama on Nov. 1, 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. “The Laramie Project” is based on the true story of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student who, in October 1998, was beaten to death in Laramie, Wyo. The […]
NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Essex County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Advisory Board hosted the Essex County LGBTQ Pride Month Celebration on Wednesday, June 27. During the ceremony, DiVincenzo presented Pride of Essex County Awards to Elaine Helms, founder of the RAIN Foundation; Peter Oates, director of […]
WHIPPANY, NJ — On June 12, JFS MetroWest offered two separate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning events for National Pride Month. During the afternoon, JFS hosted a professional development program, “Beyond the Rainbow: LGBTQ Sensitivity Training,” featuring Phoenix Schneider as the speaker. Schneider is a transactivist, educator and social worker specializing in program development […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — For author Alicia Mountain, reading excerpts from her first collection of poetry, “High Ground Coward,” which won the prestigious Iowa Poetry Prize, in the basement of Words Bookstore in Maplewood on June 15 was not just another stop on her book tour — it was a homecoming. Like at […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — In honor of Pride Month, the Rainbow Coalition will hold a flag raising and picnic on the front steps of West Orange Town Hall, 66 Main St., on Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.