Mayor Fulop's Leadership Earns Jersey City a Perfect Score in Advancing Inclusivity & Equality for the LGBTQ+ Community for 12th Consecutive Year
JERSEY CITY, NJ – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Jersey City's LGBTQ+ Task Force proudly announce Jersey City has once again achieved a perfect score of 100 from the nationwide 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), marking the 12th consecutive year the city is awarded this prestigious recognition. Conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the MEI is the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in municipal law, policies, and services. It evaluated 506 cities across the United States based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.
From implementing gender-neutral municipal bathrooms to pioneering transgender healthcare coverage for city employees, Jersey City continues to set the standard for inclusivity, reinforcing the Fulop Administration’s commitment to safeguarding and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. This achievement comes amidst ongoing national debates and challenges to LGBTQ+ protections, underscoring Jersey City’s leadership in fostering equality at the local level.
“We have worked tirelessly to build a city that is both inclusive and welcoming for all, and this recognition highlights our progress,” said Mayor Fulop. “Earning another perfect score solidifies our place as a national model for equality, and we are proud to lead New Jersey in advancing policies that protect and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community.”
Cities like Jersey City prove that embracing inclusivity not only strengthens communities but also fosters economic growth and signals to residents and visitors that they are valued and welcome.
The MEI evaluates cities on 49 criteria, spanning non-discrimination protections, municipal employment policies, city services, law enforcement practices, and public leadership on LGBTQ+ issues.
“Jersey City’s perfect score is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our leaders and advocates,” adds Jeana Abuan, Chief Task Force Administrative Officer. “These achievements inspire hope and remind us of the critical role that state and local governments play in advancing equality for LGBTQ+ people and their families.”
“In many important ways, local politics shapes our lives just as much as state or national politics does. Mayors and city councilors who take LGBTQ+ inclusion seriously build stronger communities, and in turn, their cities thrive,” Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, explained regarding this year’s findings.
Mayor Fulop has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, supporting marriage equality long before it was legalized. In 2013, just three months into his tenure, Jersey City made history as one of the first municipalities in New Jersey to issue marriage licenses and officiate ceremonies for same-sex couples. Last year, the city celebrated 10 years of marriage equality with vibrant community events.
To further advance equality, the mayor established Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force in 2014, aimed at promoting equal opportunities for the city’s diverse residents, workforce, and business community. In 2015, his administration introduced transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage, marking another milestone in fostering inclusivity.
Jersey City’s unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ rights is evident in its annual Pride celebrations, which consistently place the city among the nation’s top LGBTQ-friendly destinations, often outshining major metropolitan areas like New York City and San Francisco. The recent release of the award-winning documentary “Strength through Visibility” commemorates 20 years of Pride in Jersey City, further solidifying its role as a national leader in LGBTQ+ advocacy and representation.
“As a community and a people, we are interconnected. While certain federal and state anti-equality politicians continue to single people out to bully based on race or gender, local communities continue showing up for each other and fighting for our freedoms, our families, and our futures. Local advocates are tirelessly working to shield their communities and affirm the power and strength of queer and trans individuals, even in the face of discriminatory state laws. Yet, while some cities are making progress, the overall landscape remains challenging. The Municipal Equality Index underscores the need to invest in local leaders, on-the-ground capacity, and the fight for local protections wherever possible,” said Fran Hutchins, Executive Director of Equality Federation Institute.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, conducts the MEI annually to track progress in advancing LGBTQ rights at the local level. Jersey City’s consistent performance on the index reflects a deep commitment to progressive policies and innovative approaches to inclusivity.
The full MEI report is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.
All media inquiries should be directed to Kim Wallace-Scalcione at [email protected].