For over 60 years, the ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities.
Tom Hessman, a cybersecurity expert by day and theater volunteer and enthusiast by night, has been a supporter of the ACLU for almost 20 years. Hessman appreciates the ACLU for the vast number of issues we address – particularly our advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights and on speech, privacy and technology. We spoke with him to learn about his intersecting interests and how they’ve made him an outspoken supporter in the fight to protect civil rights and liberties.
ACLU of New Jersey: The mission to expand and protect civil rights and liberties is personal for all New Jerseyans, can you tell us more about your background?
Tom Hessman: I grew up mostly in Connecticut, went to college in NYC, and then came to New Jersey for work just over ten years ago. I've always been surrounded by computers and the arts and have always had a very strong sense of right and wrong, as well as a strong sense of empathy. My day job is in cybersecurity training, and my hobbies and passion are in theater. Working in these very different industries has allowed me to meet people and see stories about people of all different backgrounds and get to learn about a wide variety of life experiences. My life is also filled with LGBTQIA+ loved ones, so I've always felt a strong connection to that community.
ACLU-NJ: You've been a loyal supporter of our work. Can you share more about how you first got involved with the ACLU-NJ?
TH: I've always been fascinated by civil liberties and the Bill of Rights. I first heard of the ACLU as a kid from mentions in films like The American President and Enemy of the State. In college, I met ACLU volunteers on the streets of NYC one day, and that's when I decided to become a card-carrying member (yes, I do carry my card!). When I moved to New Jersey after college, I started to get more involved and got to know various staff members. The more I learn about the great work the ACLU-NJ does, the more involved I want to get.
ACLU-NJ: The ACLU-NJ has dedicated decades to building a more perfect New Jersey, what specific areas of our work interest you most?
TH: One of the things I love about the ACLU is that they cover such an incredibly broad range of issues, and I care about pretty much all of them. It's like a one-stop shop! That said, I'm particularly interested in the work you do with LGBTQIA+ rights because LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, and I have so many wonderful LGBTQIA+ folks in my life of all backgrounds. I'm also particularly interested in the technology and privacy work like your Automated Injustice Project, since I've worked with computers my whole life, and have a particularly strong background there. I've been fortunate to be able to sit down and totally geek out over the great work that team is doing, and I'm proud to see that such great work is happening right here in New Jersey!
ACLU-NJ: Our work is only possible with the help of our members. Can you tell us more about what motivates your support and why you would encourage other people to join us?
TH: I trust the ACLU-NJ to represent and defend a wide variety of increasingly pressing issues. Especially during these concerning times of rapid change, it is critically important to have an experienced organization fighting the good fight and defending everyone's rights. While a lot of important work is happening at the national level right now, there is more than a lot of folks realize happening right here in New Jersey. To cite just one example, some of my neighboring towns' school boards have been trying to pass forced outing policies for trans kids, and the ACLU-NJ has been sending letters to school districts and arguing in the court to ensure schools are safe and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ students and their families. I keep busy and love knowing that I can trust the ACLU-NJ to defend civil liberties.