Gay Beach Day in Ocean Grove
July 29, 2009
On Saturday July 25, I packed my bag with sunscreen and headed to the beach along with the rest of the East Coast. However, I was headed to my first Gay Day at the Beach in Ocean Grove NJ. HRC and Ocean Grove NJ have a long standing relationship, and this very close community started this annual tradition in 2008. Like so many LGBT communities, Ocean Grove wanted to find a way to give back to wonderful LGBT organizations that give so much to our community. When the other organizers decided to host this event they decided on three organizations they wanted to try to raise some for: SAGE, The Point Foundation, and HRC. 
The beach was packed and the first thing I saw when I stepped onto the sand were three HRC beach umbrellas. The organizers of this event thought of everything. Each hour the "Mistress of the Games" would host group games like Twister, Limbo Contest, Sack Races, and of course a Beach Volley Ball tournament. Retailers around Ocean Grove donated items to be raffled off and to help raise as much money as possible. As I went around meeting people the topic of conversation was the Governor's race. Many people, when I told them about HRC's grass roots efforts to help re-elect Governor Corzine asked where they could sign up. Many of the straight allies who came to Gay Day at The Beach in support of equality knew that in order to see marriage equality for the state of New Jersey re-electing Governor Corzine is a must. While the point of the day was to come together as a community and have fun together the ripple effect was raising much needed funds for great organizations. More over it allowed the community of Ocean Grove to come together to share in past successes, and to talk about what is next in the fight for equality for this beautiful beach town on the Jersey Shore.
Paid for Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of the candidate.
