Hoboken scores 100 this year on LGBTQ inclusion index!

Way to go, Hoboken, for our city's first-ever perfect score (100!) on the Human Rights Campaign Foundations annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard! The MEI is the only nationwide rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. 

According to Out in Jersey, "The annual survey evolved dramatically this year, instituting new benchmarks ensuring equal access to single-user facilities in public spaces, as well as protecting LGBT youth from bullying in city services."  

Hoboken was one of (3) New Jersey municipalities out of 78 nationwide that scored a 100 MEI  this year. Here are how NJ's municipalities fared:  

Hoboken 100

Jersey City 100

Woodbury 100

Asbury Park 95

Lambertville 91

Princeton 84

Newark 64

Paterson 62

Trenton 61

Elizabeth 59

Montclair 58

New Brunswick 51

Folks may recall that last year, Hoboken made a reporting error which cost our city 6 points; the HRC gave us a "zero" for Transgender Health Benefits which in fact, the City of Hoboken provides to transgender employees.  Hoboken should have scored a 98- almost perfect. 

 Hoboken's 2017 Muni Equality Scorecard

But we are even better now- according to this index- Hoboken is as LGBTQ-inclusive as our neighbor Jersey City.  Admittedly, Hoboken needs to catch up with Jersey City's "vibrant" and visible LGBTQ urban culture- trying to figure out why Hoboken lags behind.  Why?

From left, Cephaloquad, Anita Chainsaw, Voldeloxx shows off their pride. credit: Jersey Journal

GA believes the positive press about Hoboken's inclusiveness will lead to (hopefully) the growth of a "vibrant" LGBTQ culture.  So does Hoboken's Director of Communications, Santiago Melli-Huber, who is gay and identifies as queer.   

Melli-Huber told GA: It felt amazing to receive that perfect score, and its a testament to mayor Bhalla and his commitment to taking action on a local level to protect marginalized groups. While its a big honor, the MEI is just a starting point for Hoboken. We're excited about what comes next." 

Me, too! And yes, the Mayor has taken action to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community. In 2018, he introduced new policies such as the gender-neutral bathroom ordinance and the non-discrimination executive order for contractors.  2018 also saw the inaugural Hoboken Pride Week and the selection of Laura Knittel as Hoboken’s LGBTQ Community Liaison. But GA hears Mayor Bhalla's not done...there are more progressive policy changes on the way.  Stay tuned . 

Bhalla has also forged a relationship with Jersey City's  Hudson Pride Center. In August 2018, Hudson Pride Center awarded Mayor Bhalla the Evolution Award for being on the forefront of adopting policies that keep up with society’s evolving understanding of gender and sexuality.   

After the MEI scores were announced Hudson Pride Center CEO Michael Billy said,  "Thank you to Mayor Bhalla for his leadership on LGBTQ+ issues and for being a great partner of Hudson Pride Center.  His strong, decisive actions to protect and empower our community have set a high bar for other New Jersey municipalities."

Yep, it's all good.

Here's this year's MEI scorecard for Hoboken:

HOBOKEN'S 2018 Muni Equality Scorecard