Union County to Host Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic This June

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the first Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic in Union County, celebrating marriage equality in the state of New Jersey, on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park.

"This inclusive family event is an opportunity to bring our families, friends and neighbors together to celebrate the strength of our diversity, and to honor the great strides we've made in the movement for equality," said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Since the federal marriage equality ruling in 2015, thousands of same-sex couples have married state-wide. The free Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic event aims to reach beyond the Union County boarders and invites all families across the state to join us to celebrate pride.

A celebration of all families, Union County's first Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic will feature music, arts and crafts, family field day games, inflatable bounce houses, playground fun, and many other family activities. Families are invited to pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park for an afternoon of fun! Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.

A family equality rally will kick off at 1:00 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances. Families are invited to bring hand-held signs that celebrate their family.

"This inclusive event aims to celebrate all families in our community," said Freeholder Chairman Bergen. "It is our hope that when we look out across Rahway River Park on June 17 at all of the families at the Pride family event, we'll see the diversity of what family looks like."

In 2013, New Jersey became the 14th state with marriage equality, granting same-sex couples the security of marriage in New Jersey. In 2015 the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide. While same-sex couple have been creating and supporting families for centuries in the state of New Jersey, it was with this landmark ruling that the profound union of marriage was granted to all Americans to uphold, as Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy stated in the 2015 ruling, 'the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family."

Families are invited to visit the vendor and resource tables for giveaways and information. Equality and family advocacy organizations will also set up tables alongside the Freeholder Board Information van with general information, and support and networking resources.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the UC Family Pride CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

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