NJ Governor Attends GLBT Fund Raiser

October 15, 2004

NEW YORK — New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey on Thursday made his first appearance at a gay event _ a civil rights fund-raising dinner _ since publicly acknowledging he is a gay American.

McGreevey told reporters at the annual Empire State Pride Agenda dinner that he was going through a very challenging period in my life but that today is a step forward in self-journey.

This is an opportunity to be with friends and enjoy the evening, he said.

The Democratic governor thanked everyone who had been supportive of him since he announced on Aug. 12 that he is gay, had an extramarital affair with a man and would resign Nov. 15.

Thanks to the decency and the kindness from many people all throughout the state of New Jersey and the thousands of letters I received, he said.

Responding to reporters' questions, McGreevey, who has not named the man with whom he had the affair, said he had no definitive plans to return to politics.

For the foreseeable future, for a long, long time, my future is going to be obviously loving and caring for my family and continuing some level of public service, said McGreevey, who is married and has two daughters and an ex-wife.

A federal appeals court in Philadelphia on Wednesday rejected an argument that a special election should be held because the governor's office was vacated when McGreevey announced he would resign.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that said no special election should be held because McGreevey has only stated his intent to resign and has not officially vacated the office.

Upon McGreevey's official resignation, New Jersey state Senate President Richard Codey, a Democrat, would become acting governor. An election to replace him wouldn't occur until the next general election, in November 2005.

The Empire State Pride Agenda, formed in 1990, calls itself the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the country. It is committed to achieving equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers and their families.

This was the first year McGreevey has attended the dinner. He didn't address the function.

In previous years political figures such as former President Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Gov. George Pataki have spoken at the event.