We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christian Fuscarino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christian below.
Christian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?
In a nonprofit organization like Garden State Equality, our members and volunteers are truly our customers. They’re the lifeblood of our work, whether they’re contributing their time, energy, or financial support. Just as in any business, it’s essential that we show our customers how much we appreciate their contributions.
For us, this means maintaining strong communication and being present for them in meaningful ways. When someone donates their time or money, it’s our responsibility to ensure they feel valued and see the impact of their contributions. This could be through regular updates on how their efforts are making a difference, recognizing them publicly, or simply reaching out to say thank you in a personal, sincere way.
Showing up for our members means being responsive to their needs, listening to their feedback, and making sure they know they are an integral part of our mission. Whether it’s inviting them to events, offering opportunities for them to engage with our work, or providing platforms for them to share their stories, it’s about creating a relationship built on mutual respect and appreciation.
In the end, when our members and volunteers feel seen and appreciated, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed to our cause. It’s a cycle of support that strengthens the entire organization and helps us continue to make a difference in the community.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Certainly! My name is Christian Fuscarino, and I’m the Executive Director of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. My journey into this work began with a deep personal commitment to social justice and equality, which has been a driving force throughout my life.
I got into the field of LGBTQ+ advocacy because I’ve always believed in the power of community to drive change. Growing up, I saw firsthand the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals faced, especially in terms of acceptance and access to resources. This fueled my passion for creating a more inclusive world, and led me to work with various LGBTQ+ organizations before eventually joining Garden State Equality.
At Garden State Equality, we provide a wide range of services and programs aimed at supporting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community across New Jersey. Our work includes advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights at the state and local levels, educational programs in schools, health services, and direct support for individuals in need. One of our most recent initiatives is the Venus Xtravaganza House, a project that will provide emergency housing, serve as a museum and education space, and offer health services and a pharmacy. This project exemplifies our commitment to addressing the most pressing needs of our community, particularly for transgender individuals who often face significant barriers to housing and healthcare.
What sets Garden State Equality apart is our holistic approach to advocacy. We don’t just focus on one aspect of the LGBTQ+ experience—we work across multiple areas to ensure that our community is supported in every facet of their lives. Whether it’s fighting for policy changes, providing educational resources, or offering direct services, we’re dedicated to making a tangible difference.
I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to advance LGBTQ+ rights in New Jersey. From helping to pass landmark legislation that protects LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination, to creating programs that support LGBTQ+ youth, our work has had a real, positive impact on people’s lives.
For anyone learning about us for the first time, I want them to know that Garden State Equality is a community-driven organization. Our members and volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always striving to be a strong voice for those who need it most. We believe in the power of collective action, and we’re committed to building a world where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live with dignity, safety, and equality.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Early in my advocacy work, I was deeply focused on advancing LGBTQ+ rights, sometimes without fully understanding how intertwined those struggles are with other forms of oppression, particularly racism. I began to realize that, while we were making strides in LGBTQ+ rights, not everyone in our community was benefiting equally. LGBTQ+ people of color often faced compounded discrimination—experiencing not only homophobia or transphobia but also systemic racism. This opened my eyes to the fact that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights cannot be separated from the fight against racism.
I had to unlearn the idea that our work could be effective if it focused solely on LGBTQ+ issues in isolation. Instead, I learned that true advocacy means embracing an intersectional approach—one that recognizes and actively combats all forms of oppression, including racism. This shift in perspective has fundamentally changed how we operate at Garden State Equality. We’ve become more intentional about addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ people of color and ensuring that our programs and policies are inclusive and equitable.
Anti-racism is not just a component of our work; it’s foundational to achieving true equality for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Sharing personal stories from our community members—stories of resilience, triumph, and the everyday realities of being LGBTQ+—is incredibly powerful. These stories helped humanize our cause and allowed our audience to connect with our work on a deeper level.
For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is to start by defining your mission and understanding your audience. Know who you’re trying to reach and tailor your content to speak directly to them. Be consistent with your posting and authentic in your messaging. Engage with your followers, listen to their feedback, and make them feel like they’re part of your journey. And don’t underestimate the power of storytelling—real, relatable stories can turn casual followers into passionate supporters.
Lastly, be patient. Building an audience takes time, but with dedication and a clear strategy, you can create a strong and engaged online community that supports and amplifies your work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Fuscarino.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Fuscarino
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Christian.Fuscarino
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuscarino/
- Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/Fuscarino
Image Credits
Tamara Fleming, aedy Miller