LGBT individuals in New Jersey enjoy strong protections from discrimination, and have had the same marriage rights as heterosexual people since October 21, 2013.
[5] Court decisions in New Jersey gradually restricted the application of sodomy laws to exclude first married couples,[5] and then all heterosexual sexual relations.
[9] In June 2021, the New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal made an official apology for the state's harassment of bar keepers and patrons.
[9] In January 2020, New Jersey with a signature from Governor Phil Murphy implemented new adoption and child welfare laws - that immediately streamlined and reduced burdensome red tape for LGBT singles and couples.
[28] Enhanced penalties are available for crimes committed in New Jersey with a bias based on the presumed sexual orientation and gender identity or expression of the victim, as well as sensitivity training sentencing options for judges.
[29] The FBI New Jersey division also reports gender X (alongside male and female) since June 2021, on criminal justice and investigation procedures - directly from the attorney general.
[30] In March 2021, a bill (A-4833) passed by a vote of 71-0 in the lower house of New Jersey legally banning "bias and intimidation" crimes - based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
[38] In June 2013, the New Jersey Legislature passed legislation making sexual orientation change efforts (conversion therapy) illegal when directed at minors.
In another case heard in Hudson County, a judge ruled that those who promote the therapy by claiming to cure a disorder are committing fraud.
[44] In 2019, anti-LGBT group Liberty Counsel made another attempt to challenge the constitutionality of New Jersey's ban on conversion therapy, in the case of King v. Murphy.
On April 15, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear the challenge, thereby upholding New Jersey's ban on conversion therapy.
[45][46] Since February 1, 2019, transgender persons may request an amended birth certificate with a corrected name and sex without undergoing surgery or any medical procedures.
[66][67] In November 2022, the Governor of New Jersey signed an executive order to allow transgender individuals privacy, dignity and confidentiality when formally changing a legal name on forms and documents.
[69] In 2024, New Jersey passed laws that codified a 2021 executive order - to implement "LGBTQ friendly business policy development".
Discussions on sexual orientation are required from the end of eighth grade (age 13-14), and include tolerance and sensitivity, harassment, name-calling and stereotyping.
Parents may choose to have their child(ren) opt out if the class is "in conflict with his or her conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs".
[75] In September 2018, New Jersey issued guidance to schools to promote transgender-friendly policies on the use of names and pronouns, participation in activities, use of facilities and student records.
[76] In January 2019, Governor Murphy signed into law a bill requiring public schools in the state to teach about "the political, economic and social contributions of individuals who are [LGBTQ]".
[76] The law compels the inclusion of the contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people into educational textbooks and the social studies curricula in the state.
[89][90] New Jersey state law makes it a third degree criminal offense for a person knowingly infected with HIV to engage in sexual activity without informing their partner of their status.
[92][93][94] A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute poll found that 68% of New Jersey residents supported same-sex marriage, while 23% were opposed and 9% were unsure.
A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 76% of New Jersey residents supported same-sex marriage, while 21% were opposed and 3% were unsure.