Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla today announced the City of Hoboken has again achieved a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index for its LGBTQ+ policies and regulations. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are in cities and towns across the country.
This year, a record-breaking 130 cities, or over 25 percent of all MEI-rated cities, earned the highest score of 100, suggesting that LGBTQ+ equality is making significant strides at the local level, establishing a warrant for continued work to advance equality at the national level.
The MEI provides a public snapshot of how cities advance LGBTQ+ equality and a framework for elected officials and municipal administrators across the country, outlining impactful steps they can take to protect their LGBTQ+ residents and staff.
“As gender affirming care, same sex marriage, and workplace protections continue to be attacked on the federal level, it has never been more critical to continue to stand firm in our beliefs to uplift and protect our LGBTQ+ community members,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “Hoboken has been, and will remain, a community that believes in inclusivity, and we have put the policies in place to do so. I thank the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for recognizing our efforts and for continuing their mission to push for equality across the country.”
“We are thrilled by Hoboken’s perfect score,” said Catherine Williams, Chair of the Hoboken Pride Advisory Committee. “It reflects the continued dedication of elected leaders and community members to ensuring that Hoboken is a safe and welcoming city for everyone, which is more important than ever as basic human rights for LGBTQ+ Americans remain under threat.”
“For over a decade, Hoboken has built a community rooted in inclusivity, where respect and understanding grow, even through challenging conversations,” said Hoboken's LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Laura Knittel. “This year, our commitment to protecting and uplifting our LGBTQ+ neighbors, especially transgender families, has earned us a 100% score from the Human Rights Campaign. Hoboken has become a refuge for many, including those with transgender family members who have moved here seeking safety and dignity, and we stand with them today and always. While we mourn the over 25 transgender lives lost to violence or suicide this year alone, our resolve grows stronger, and our love for each other remains unwavering.”
During the Bhalla Administration, the City of Hoboken has instituted two LGBTQ+ community liaisons, including one at the Hoboken Police Department, mandated, all single-occupancy restrooms to be gender-neutral, and established a Pride Advisory Committee tasked with fostering inclusiveness, raising awareness, proposing solutions, and building a culture of acceptance for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including through events like the Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil that occurred on Nov. 20, among others. Additionally, Mayor Bhalla signed an executive order preventing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and other minority groups by city contractors.
To view the full MEI report, go to www.hrc.org/resources/municipalities/hoboken-nj.
