For the second year in a row, Hoboken received a score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI), an annual examination of more than 500 municipalities relating to LGBTQ+ laws and policies.
Hoboken is one of only three municipalities in New Jersey to receive a perfect score.
“Our 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign once again demonstrates that Hoboken is a fair and welcoming city where everyone is entitled to be treated equally and with respect, no matter your gender identity or means of expression,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “We’ve taken a number of steps to further empower the members of our LGBTQ+ communities over the past two years, and I’m proud Hoboken is only one of three municipalities in New Jersey to achieve this distinction. I thank the many activists and advocates, past and present who have strived for equal rights for all residents in our City.”
In 2018, Mayor Bhalla signed an executive order requiring all public and private single-occupancy restrooms to be gender-neutral. Hoboken became the first city in New Jersey to pass such a law.
Mayor Bhalla also signed an executive order preventing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups.
He also selected Hoboken resident and LGBTQ+ activist Laura Knittel to serve as Hoboken’s first-ever LGBTQ+ liaison.
The Hudson Pride Center, Laura Knittel, and Migdalia Pagan-Milano from Hoboken’s Office of Constituent Services established and organized Hoboken’s second annual Pride Week celebration in August, which started in 2018. In addition to raising the Pride Flag, Hoboken became one of the few communities in New Jersey to have painted rainbow crosswalks for Pride Month this past June.
This week, Hoboken also raised the Transgender Pride Flag in recognition of Transgender Awareness Week.
“We at Hudson Pride Center are proud that the city of Hoboken received a perfect score again this year on the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign! Mayor Bhalla and the city of Hoboken have worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and safe city that protects its LGBTQ+ residents and visitors,” said Elizabeth Schedl, chief operating officer for Hudson Pride Center. “Hudson Pride Center will continue to assist the city of Hoboken with its efforts in supporting and advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community in Hoboken, and we will do our best to help them remain leaders in NJ in advancing equal rights and protections in municipal law, policy, and services for the LGBTQ+ community.”
“There is much work to be done in the days ahead, but let’s pause for a moment to give thanks to all who have made a difference and have accepted our LGBTQ community with open arms,” Knittel said. “And thanks to all those who have helped the city of Hoboken weave a more compassionate, inclusive, and diverse community for us to live in … Tolerance has no boundaries and spirit has no gender. Love is Love.”
