New Jersey’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality just grabbed another national spotlight. Five cities—Hoboken, Jersey City, Asbury Park, Princeton, and Montclair—scored perfect marks in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
This blog takes a closer look at what that 100-point score really means. Why does it matter so much right now, and how is Jersey City helping set the bar for inclusive urban life in the Garden State?
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New Jersey Shines in the 2025 Municipal Equality Index
The Municipal Equality Index is a closely watched gauge of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in American local government. In 2025, the HRC Foundation evaluated 506 cities nationwide on 49 criteria, from fair hiring practices to public accommodations and access to affirming healthcare.
Among those cities, five New Jersey communities hit the top with scores of 100: Hoboken, Jersey City, Asbury Park, Princeton, and Montclair. These aren’t just symbolic—they reflect real policies, services, and choices by local leaders in a climate where anti-LGBTQ+ laws are on the rise in many states.
What the MEI Measures—and Why It Matters
The MEI looks beyond rainbow flags and parade floats. It checks whether a city has woven equality into its governance. That means things like:
HRC President Kelley Robinson has said this kind of local action is essential, especially since federal protections are still incomplete. The MEI sits alongside efforts to pass the Equality Act, which would expand federal civil rights for LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide.
How New Jersey Cities Are Leading on LGBTQ+ Inclusion
New Jersey’s top cities didn’t just stumble into these scores. Through legislation, community partnerships, and cultural leadership, they’ve built places where LGBTQ+ folks can live more openly and safely.
These municipalities are responding to political and social backlash by doubling down on policies that affirm everyone’s dignity. It’s a bold move, honestly, and one that’s not always easy.
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Hoboken: Policy and Protection in a Time of Pushback
Hoboken’s Mayor Ravi Bhalla has made the city’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights clear, even as national rollbacks continue. Hoboken invests in protections and services for LGBTQ+ individuals and families, with a special focus on transgender residents who often face the harshest laws elsewhere.
From inclusive hiring standards to visible support during Pride season, Hoboken’s MEI score shows both its policy backbone and its cultural climate. LGBTQ+ residents are recognized as an essential part of the city’s fabric.
Jersey City: Programming, Visibility, and Everyday Inclusion
Jersey City has spent years turning its values into infrastructure. Its perfect MEI score comes from expanded LGBTQ+ programming that reaches both government and community life.
Key efforts include:
These initiatives aren’t just for show. They make it clear that equality is part of everyday life—from City Hall to neighborhood storefronts.
Asbury Park, Princeton, and Montclair: Anchors of Affirmation
Asbury Park’s leadership on LGBTQ+ issues goes way back to the 1960s, when it started becoming a queer-friendly shore destination. Even before marriage equality became law, Asbury Park hosted some of New Jersey’s earliest same-sex marriage ceremonies, showing a culture that often moved ahead of the statutes.
Today, Asbury Park is home to thriving LGBTQ+ businesses and organizations, including Garden State Equality. Lauren Albrecht, the group’s senior director, credits the city’s leadership and resident activism for creating a genuinely safe and inclusive environment.
Princeton and Montclair, with their strong academic and cultural traditions, have also built non-discrimination protections, inclusive services, and visible support into their civic identities.
National Trends: Local Governments Stepping Up
The 2025 MEI didn’t just spotlight New Jersey. Across the country, 132 cities hit perfect scores, showing that local governments are stepping up even when higher levels of government stall or reverse course.
As many states introduce bills to restrict transgender healthcare, limit LGBTQ+ topics in schools, or roll back civil rights, these cities are pushing back. By embedding non-discrimination policies into law, expanding services, and celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility, they’re creating places where residents know their rights and identities aren’t up for debate with every election cycle.
What This Means for Jersey City Residents and Visitors
In Jersey City, the MEI score isn’t just a badge—it’s a competitive edge. LGBTQ+ residents might weigh it when deciding where to live or work, or even when thinking about raising a family.
Visitors notice it too. It can shape everything from Pride weekend getaways to which Jersey City hotels feel most inviting.
If you’re planning a visit, you’ll probably wonder where to stay in Jersey City. That question often leads right into thoughts about neighborhood vibes and how welcoming the community feels.
The city’s inclusive policies open up a ton of things to do in Jersey City. There are arts festivals with queer performers, and Pride events rooted in the community.
Getting here isn’t tough either. Better transit access means LGBTQ+ travelers from all over can reach Jersey City without much hassle, which only adds to the city’s reputation as a genuinely welcoming place.
Zooming in on neighborhoods, you’ll find city districts with affirming services, active community groups, and safe nightlife. It’s clear Jersey City’s perfect MEI score isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reflection of real choices and values on the ground.
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Here is the source article for this story: Why these 5 N.J. towns are being called the best for LGBTQ+ residents
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