MCPO Hosts Annual Morris County National Coming Out Day - Unity Fest

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Morris County Sheriff’s Office hosted the fourth annual Morris County National Coming Out Day and the third annual Community Unity Festival: Combat Bias, Hate & Violence. The event was held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Pioneer Park Plaza in Morristown, and co-sponsored by EDGE (end discrimination gain equality).

National Coming Out Day is coordinated to encourage and support LGBTQ+ individuals to “come out,” and is the unconditional commitment by law enforcement to build bridges with the LGBTQ+ community. The event was also intended to educate the community about bias crimes and the law. There were vendors and music, as well as food and beverages provided at no charge, to foster interaction between law enforcement and those in attendance.

Remarks addressing bias crimes were given by Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll on behalf of the Morris County leadership. Other speakers included: MCPO Detective Supervisor and LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer Stephanie Merced; Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn; Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski; Development Coordinator Nicholas Lepper of EDGE; and Rev. Lance Mann of the Union Baptist Church of Morristown and NAACP Board member. Also recognized was Bethany Miller, caseworker for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office.

Prayers were said by Rev. Stepan Bilyk of the Ukrainian Cultural Center and St. John the Baptist Church.

Prosecutor Carroll stated, “Through this public gathering, we reinforce the message that law enforcement welcomes all to our profession, regardless of religious beliefs, gender identity, race, age, and social and economic status. To best protect our citizens, law enforcement should reflect the community it serves. This annual event emphasizes local unity, and recognizes ongoing progress over stigmas and implicit and explicit discrimination. I would like to acknowledge those LGBTQ+ liaison officers who worked hard to bring this event together.”