Editing Jersey City, New Jersey (section)

=== Sexual orientation and gender identity ===
{{main|Same-sex marriage in New Jersey}}
In 2010, there were 2,726 [[Domestic partnership|same-sex couples]] in Hudson County, with Jersey City being the hub,<ref>Staff. [https://outinjersey.net/where-do-gay-couples-live-in-new-jersey/ "Where do gay couples live in New Jersey?"], Out in Jersey, March 16, 2014. Accessed July 18, 2017. "Essex County leads with the most same-sex couples households at 2,819 with Hudson County close behind at 2,726."</ref> prior to the commencement of same-sex marriages in New Jersey on October 21, 2013.<ref name="DroppedAppeal">Hayes, Melissa; Markos, Kibret; and Fallon, Scott [https://web.archive.org/web/20140209185716/http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/Christie_administration_withdraws_appeal_of_ruling_allowing_gay_marriage_in_NJ.html?page=all "Christie drops appeal of ruling allowing gay marriage in NJ"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', October 21, 2013, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of February 9, 2014. Accessed November 13, 2019.</ref> Following the ruling, Jersey City was one of the first municipalities in New Jersey to issue marriage licenses and officiate ceremonies for same-sex couples. Jersey City is considered one of the most [[LGBT-friendly]] communities in New Jersey and has achieved a perfect score from the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for LGBTQ+ equality in municipal law, policies, and services for 12 consecutive years.<ref name=LGBTFriendlyNJ>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2016/11/where_are_the_most_lgbt-friendly_towns_in_nj.html|title=Where are the most LGBT-friendly towns in N.J.?|date=2 November 2016|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029172650/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2016/11/where_are_the_most_lgbt-friendly_towns_in_nj.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-city-receives-perfect-score-for-lgbtq-equality-for-12th-year-in-a-row/|title=Jersey City receives perfect score for LGBTQ+ equality for 12th year in a row|publisher=Hudson County View|date=December 2, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2025}}</ref>

Founded in 1993, the [[Hudson Pride Connections Center]] is located in [[Journal Square]] and is largest LGBTQ+ social services center in New Jersey that advocates for the physical, mental, social and political well-being of the diverse LGBTQ+ community and its supporters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hudsonpride.org/meet-the-staff/|title=Hudson Pride Center - Meet the Staff|website=hudsonpride.org|access-date=January 31, 2025}}</ref>

Every August since 2000 Jersey City hosts the Jersey City LBGTQ+ Pride Festival (JC Pride) which has grown to become one of the largest pride festivals in New Jersey attracting over 25,000 attendees. The celebrations begin on the first of the month with a [[Rainbow flag (LGBTQ)#Notable variations|Progress Pride Flag]] raising ceremony at City Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jerseycitypride.com/|title=Jersey City Pride|website=jerseycitypride.com|access-date=January 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2024/07/counting-down-the-days-what-jc-pride-festival-24-holds-beginning-aug-1.html|title=Counting down the days: what JC Pride Festival ‘24 holds beginning Aug. 1|publisher=The Jersey Journal|date=July 24, 2024|access-date=January 31, 2025}}</ref>