This New Jersey City Has Been Named the Most LGBTQ Friendly City in State (You Won’t Believe Why!)
Jersey City, New Jersey, has been named the most LGBTQ-friendly city in the state by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is the nation’s leading benchmark for LGBTQ+ equality. Jersey City received a perfect score of 100 points for its LGBTQ+ inclusive laws, policies, and practices.
Jersey City is home to a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and the city has a long history of supporting its queer residents. In 1997, Jersey City was one of the first cities in the country to enact a non-discrimination ordinance based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The city has also been a leader in providing LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare and social services.
In recent years, Jersey City has continued to expand its LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. In 2017, the city became the first in New Jersey to offer transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees. And in 2021, the city created a new LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to advise the city on LGBTQ+ issues.
Jersey City’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality has made it a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. The city is home to a variety of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations, and it hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.
These statistics paint a stark picture of economic hardship faced by many residents of Jersey City.
| Criteria | Jersey City |
|---|---|
| Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI) score | 100 |
| Year non-discrimination ordinance was enacted | 1997 |
| Year transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits were offered to employees | 2017 |
| Year LGBTQ+ Advisory Board was created | 2021 |
| Number of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations | Many |
| Number of LGBTQ+ events held each year | Many |
LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices in Jersey City
Jersey City has a number of LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices in place, including:
- Non-discrimination ordinance: Jersey City has a non-discrimination ordinanceย that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits: Jersey City offers transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees, including coverage for gender confirmation surgery.
- LGBTQ+ Advisory Board: Jersey City has an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to advise the city on LGBTQ+ issues. The board is made up of LGBTQ+ community members, advocates, and business leaders.
LGBTQ+ community in Jersey City
Jersey City is home to a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. The city is home to a number of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations, and it hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.
Some of the LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations in Jersey City include:
- Out In Jersey: A website and online community for LGBTQ+ people in New Jersey.
- Pride Center of New Jersey: A non-profit organization that provides support and services to the LGBTQ+ community in New Jersey.
- Hudson Pride Connections Center: A non-profit organization that provides social, educational, and support services to the LGBTQ+ community in Hudson County.
Some of the LGBTQ+ events that are held in Jersey City each year include:
- Jersey City Pride Festival: A free, annual festival that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community of Jersey City.
- Hudson County LGBTQ+ Film Festival: A film festival that showcases films by and about LGBTQ+ people.
- Hudson Pride Transgender Film Festival: A film festival that showcases films by and about transgender people.
FAQ about Jersey City being the most LGBTQ-friendly city in New Jersey
Q: What is the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI)?
A: The Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI) is the nation’s leading benchmark for LGBTQ+ equality. It evaluates municipalities on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being the most inclusive. Jersey City received a perfect score of 100 on the MEI in 2023.
Q: Why is Jersey City considered the most LGBTQ-friendly city in New Jersey?
A: Jersey City has a long history of supporting its LGBTQ+ residents, dating back to 1997 when it enacted a non-discrimination ordinance based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The city also offers transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees and has an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to advise the city on LGBTQ+ issues. Jersey City is also home to a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, with a variety of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations.
Q: What are some of the LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices in Jersey City?
A: Jersey City has a number of LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices in place, including:
- Non-discrimination ordinance:ย Jersey City has a non-discrimination ordinanceย that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits:ย Jersey City offers transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees,ย including coverage for gender confirmation surgery.
- LGBTQ+ Advisory Board:ย Jersey City has an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to advise the city on LGBTQ+ issues.
Q: What is the LGBTQ+ community like in Jersey City?
A: Jersey City is home to a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. The city is home to a number of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations, and it hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.
Q: What are some of the LGBTQ+ events that are held in Jersey City each year?
A: Some of the LGBTQ+ events that are held in Jersey City each year include:
- Jersey City Pride Festival:ย A free,ย annual festival that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community of Jersey City.
- Hudson County LGBTQ+ Film Festival:ย A film festival that showcases films by and about LGBTQ+ people.
- Hudson Pride Transgender Film Festival:ย A film festival that showcases films by and about transgender people.
Q: Why should I consider moving to Jersey City if I am an LGBTQ+ person?
A: Jersey City is a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. The city’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality is evident in its LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices, as well as its large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Conclusion
Jersey City is a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. The city’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality is evident in its LGBTQ-inclusive laws, policies, and practices, as well as its large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
