New Jersey is a state that takes pride in welcoming people from all walks of life and is known for being progressive and diverse. It begs the question: which Garden State city is the most welcoming to LGBTQ people? Jersey City is the answer, according to a recent report from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Concerning the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The largest national nonprofit promoting the rights and welfare of LGBTQ people, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, works to advance equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities across the country via outreach, education, and research initiatives.
Jersey City’s Outstanding Performance
The organization assessed 506 U.S. cities using 49 criteria, including non-discrimination laws, municipal services, law enforcement, and city leadership on LGBTQ matters, in its 11th annual Municipal Equality Index, which was published on November 30, 2022. With a perfect score of 100 out of 100, Jersey City became the first city in New Jersey and one of only 120 cities in the entire country to do so.
The LGBTQ-Friendliness of Jersey City is a result of several factors
Supporting and celebrating its LGBTQ citizens and guests is a long-standing tradition in Jersey City. The city has extended health benefits and domestic partner registration for city employees, designated an LGBTQ liaison in the mayor’s office and police department, and put comprehensive anti-discrimination statutes into effect. Jersey City’s LGBTQ-friendly culture is further enhanced by yearly Pride festivals, rainbow flag-raising ceremonies, and a wide range of cultural and social activities that take place all year round.
Evaluation in Comparison to Other New Jersey Cities
Although it leads the way, Jersey City is not the only LGBTQ-friendly city in the state. With an average score of 86 out of 100, the state performs better than the 68 for the entire country. Perfect scores were also obtained by five other New Jersey cities: Hoboken, Lambertville, Montclair, Princeton, and Ocean Grove. Asbury Park, Cape May, Collingswood, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton were among the cities that received noteworthy scores.
In summary
One of the best examples of a city fully supporting and elevating its LGBTQ community is Jersey City. As the most LGBTQ-friendly city in New Jersey and among the best locations in the country to live, the city’s steadfast dedication to creating a safe, friendly, and inclusive environment for citizens, employees, and tourists is well-established.
