In New Jersey, LGBTQIA+ individuals have robust legal protections against discrimination, including those related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations. Additionally, New Jersey has specific protections for transgender students and staff in schools, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. 

Key Protections and Rights 

Law Against Discrimination:
The Law Against Discrimination protects individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in various sectors, including employment, housing, and public accommodations. 

Marriage Equality:
New Jersey legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, granting LGBTQIA+ individuals the same marriage rights as heterosexual individuals. 

Schools:
Schools are required to create a safe, supportive, and non-discriminatory environment for LGBTQIA+ students, including transgender students, who have the right to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity, participate in extracurricular activities consistent with their gender identity, and be addressed by their chosen name and pronouns. 

Long-Term Care:
The LGBTQI+ Senior Bill of Rights prohibits long-term care facilities from discriminating against residents based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, or HIV status. 

Legal Gender Recognition:
New Jersey allows for legal gender recognition without the requirement of surgery or medical documentation. 

Employment:
The Law Against Discrimination prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the State also offers protections against discrimination in the workplace. 

Housing:
Individuals are protected from discrimination in housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Public Accommodations:
The Law Against Discrimination also prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Consumer Rights:
It is unlawful to refuse to do business with someone or discriminate against them based on their gender identity or gender expression in various transactions, including financial transactions. 

Restrooms and Locker Rooms:
Individuals are permitted to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity or expression. 

For more information, contact Terry West at LGBTQIA@mercercounty.org or 609-503-9895.