Hoboken Is 1 Of 4 Towns To Earn 100 Percent Rating For LGBTQ+ Laws And Policies

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has announced that the city of Hoboken received a perfect 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI), an annual examination of more than 500 municipalities across the United States relating to LGBTQ+ laws and policies.

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This marks the fourth year in a row in which the City received the prestigious score, as Hoboken is one of four municipalities in New Jersey to earn a 100 percent rating from the HRC.

Jersey City, Montclair, and Princeton got 100 percent scores as well.

“I am proud that we are continuing to lead the way within New Jersey with LGBTQ+ inclusive laws," said Bhalla. "We will continue to advance and protect the rights of our LGBTQ+ residents to ensure that Hoboken will remain an inclusive place that all can be proud to call home.”

Laura Knittel, the city’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison, praised Bhalla and the community, but noted, "Let’s not forget that this year, in 2021, 375 transgender people have been murdered around the world and it is now considered the v ‘Deadliest Year’ on record. So, there is still much
more work to be done. And now that our local community has maintained a high score with HRC, we should consider branching out beyond our borders to teach others on how we get it done and to ask how we can continue to help them thrive ... Please reach out to me, stay safe, remember love is love, and be kind to one another.”

Under Bhalla’s leadership, the city has created an LGBTQ+ community liaison, instituted Hoboken Pride Week, mandated that all single occupancy restrooms be genderneutral, and the mayor signed an executive order preventing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups for city contractors.

The full scorecard for Hoboken is here.

"The city of Hoboken is committed to advancing policies that are inclusive and protective of the rights of LGBTQ+ residents and visitors,” said Elizabeth Schedl, Executive Director of the Hudson Pride Center. “We at Hudson Pride Center are proud to be a partner to the city and of the recognition from the Human Rights Campaign with a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index!"

“Garden State Equality is proud to work alongside Hudson Pride in helping to shape Hoboken into a more safe and friendly place to live for all LGBTQ+ residents,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “We look forward to continuing our advocacy at the local level across the state of New Jersey to increase inclusivity and provide a better, safer place for the LGBTQ+ community. By starting at the local level, we can make sweeping changes across our great state."

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