5 NJ Cities Score Perfectly On LGBTQ+ Inclusivity: Report

NEW JERSEY — Five cities and towns in New Jersey received perfect scores on LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The ratings came from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's annual Municipal Equality Index, which evaluated hundreds of locales around the nation across several factors that promote greater equality, according to the organization.

The HRC graded on a 1-100 scale in its 11th annual report, released in partnership with The Equality Federation Institute. The following New Jersey municipalities received perfect scores this year: Hoboken, Lambertville (Hunterdon County), Jersey City, Montclair and Princeton.

Twelve cities and towns in the Garden State received grades this year. New Jersey's lowest-scoring cities were Paterson (62), Newark (65) and New Brunswick (67). The state received an overall score of 86 — one point higher than the prior year's grade and 18 points above the national average.

"At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ opponents are using the rights of transgender youth as a political wedge issue, it can be disheartening to be a queer or trans person in this country," said Fran Hutchins, executive director of The Equality Federation Institute. "But despite the increasing attacks we are seeing on transgender youth in state legislatures, the important work to advance protections for LGBTQ+ people continues at the local level."

The methodology includes scores across five major categories: anti-discrimination laws (30 points), workplace benefits and inclusivity (28 points), municipal services for LBGTQ+ residents (12 points), law enforcement's engagement with the queer population (22 points) and the public positions of leadership (eight points).

Take Trenton, for instance, which fell from a 95 in 2021 to a score of 89 this year. The state capital went from a 6 out of 6 to a zero in the subcategory of trans-inclusive health care benefits — graded on the availability of health benefits for gender-affirming care.

Here's how each New Jersey municipality fared (scores were the name in 2021 unless otherwise noted):

• Hoboken: 100 (seven points higher than in 2021)
• Lambertville: 100 (two points higher than last year)
• Jersey City: 100
• Montclair: 100
• Princeton: 100
• Ocean Grove: 89
• Trenton: 89 (six points lower than last year)
• Asbury Park: 80 (four points lower than last year)
• Elizabeth: 71
• New Brunswick: 67
• Newark: 65 (four points higher than last year)
• Paterson: 62

The HRC's ratings don't take into account a city's affordability. The New Jersey locales that received perfect scores also have staggering costs of living, according to bestplaces.com's cost-of-living index.

In the past, the organization has been accused of prioritizing the interests of wealthier parties. While the LGBTQ Poverty Initiative didn't call out the HRC by name in its 2018 report on intersectional justice, the initiative stated that "while there is growing research recognizing high rates of poverty among LGBTQ people, large mainstream LGBTQ organizations have not necessarily been prioritizing economic justice issues."

But certain economic factors, such as the inclusivity of workplaces, hold significance in the HRC's scores. Non-discrimination laws give cities and states a competitive edge in attracting employees, which leads to overall economic growth, the HRC says.

"The Fortune 500 has long utilized inclusive workplace policies as proven recruitment and retention tools," the report states. "Diversity and inclusion enhance an employer’s reputation, increase job satisfaction, and boost employee morale. Municipalities and their employees similarly benefit from LGBTQ+-inclusive workplace policies and practices."

The HRC's index includes 506 cities and towns, including all 50 state capitals, the nation's 200 largest cities, the five largest municipalities in each state, the cities home to each state's two largest public universities, 75 places with high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state group, members and supporters.

View the HRC's full Municipal Equality Index.