Applicants Sought For New Hoboken LGBTQIA+ Pride Advisory Committee

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla today signed an executive order creating the Hoboken Pride Advisory Committee.   The committee will be dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQIA+ community issues in the Mile Square City.  The intended goal is to “foster a culture of acceptance, enhancing the pride community within the City, and promoting inclusiveness for all individuals.”

In a statement the Mayor said, “In our city, diversity is our strength, and inclusivity is our priority.  That is why today I signed an executive order creating the City’s Pride Advisory Committee which will play a pivotal role in shaping policies that embrace the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring that Hoboken is a city where everyone is not only accepted but celebrated. Together, we will raise awareness, promote understanding, and ensure that Hoboken continues to be a fair and welcoming community where love knows no boundaries.”  

LGBTQIA Liaison Laura Knittel added, “As Hoboken continues to evolve, it has become a vibrant hub for a diverse range of individuals, including a growing LGBTQIA+ community. As our city expands, so does our commitment to enhancing representation in our Pride events and programs. Our ongoing dedication to fostering inclusivity, respect, equality, and intersectionality remains unwavering. A heartfelt thank you extends to all our friends and allies whose support makes these efforts possible. I look forward to working with more of you in the days ahead.” 

As per the Mayor’s executive order, the structure of the twelve member committee will be as follows:

• A City Council representative appointed by the mayor
• Two council appointees
• A municipal employee
• Two Hoboken business owners
• Two Mayoral appointees
• A Public Safety Department appointee
• An educational appointee
• An appointee from the local faith community
• The City’s LGBTQIA+ liaison.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       As per the executive order, committee members would serve for the length of the mayor’s term in office.  Any community members who are interested in being considered for a committee position, can apply online by clicking HERE. 

Hoboken recently received a perfect 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index’s (MEI), annual examination of more than 500 municipalities across the United States relating to LGBTQ+ laws and policies.  Hoboken is one of just five New Jersey municipalities to receive a perfect rating.  Last year was the sixth consecutive year Hoboken garnered the score.

Since Bhalla became Mayor, the City has created an LGBTQ+ community liaison for both the City and the Hoboken Police Department; mandated that all single occupancy restrooms be gender neutral; and adopted an executive order preventing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups for City contractors.

To see the full score card, go to https://www.hrc.org/resources/municipalities/hoboken-nj.