Union County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs

Welcome

Mental Health Services from the Rain Foundation

Outpatient therapy/wellness groups and individual therapy sessions for individuals aged 18-30 at no cost.

Emergency shelter through RAIN for LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18-26 who may be in crisis situations. 

Learn more about the Rain Foundation

LGBTQ Resources

We are updating our resource guide for 2025

Have an update or addition? Please contact us!

101

LGBTQ | How You See Me: People have been talking ABOUT the LGBTQ community, so we decided to talk with them to learn from their experiences.

LGBT 101: An Introduction to the Queer Community – This seven-minute informational video serves as a basic introduction to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

An Ally’s Guide to Terminology – The words we use to discuss LGBT people and issues can have a powerful impact on our conversations. The right words help open people’s hearts and minds, while others can create distance or confusion. This guide serves as a resource for new allies who want to support LGBT Americans but aren’t sure how to begin those conversations.

Gender Pronouns, Get Them Right! | MTV Life – YouTube’s Jake Edwards breaks down the history of pronouns and offers a few solid points on why it’s so important to use a person’s correct pronouns.

Advocacy

Garden State Equality Garden State Equality is the New Jersey’s statewide advocacy and education organization for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. 973-509-5428 E-mail Website

True Colors Fund The True Colors Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, creating a world in which young people can be their true selves. 212-461-4401 Contact Website

Arts

Queer-Art QUEER|ART is a non-profit arts organization serving a diverse and vibrant community of LGBTQ artists across generations and disciplines. The mission of Queer-Art is to create a diverse and vibrant community through the support of LGBTQ art and artists across generations and disciplines. E-mail Website

Business Development

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – NGLCC The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses. 202-234-9181 E-mail Website

New Jersey LGBT Chamber 973-869-9567 E-mail Website

Union County Department of Economic Development 908-527-4802 Website

Union County Economic Development Corporation – UCEDC 908-527-1166 E-mail Website

Civil Rights

ACLU New Jersey The ACLU of New Jersey works to defend liberty throughout our state. We are involved in litigation and advocacy on behalf of individuals, and we lobby on scores of bills in the state legislature and local councils. In addition, the ACLU is active in many public education and community organizing projects. The ACLU of New Jersey is located in Newark. We implement legal, legislative, public education programs in conjunction with large numbers of volunteers to advance the ACLU’s goals of liberty and justice for all. 973-642-2084 Website

Lambda Legal (National Headquarters, New York City) Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. 212-809-8585 Contact Website

New Jersey Division on Civil Rights

DCR is a part of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General /Department of Law and Public Safety and is the agency responsible for investigating discrimination complaints and eradicating illegal discrimination in New Jersey. DCR is comprised of investigators, attorneys, and professional support staff.  We serve as a fair and impartial forum for addressing claims that the LAD or the Family Leave Act has been violated.  Our main focus is to investigate claims of discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation (e.g., schools, stores, parks). Central Regional Office 609-292-4605. Northern Regional Office 973-648-2700. E-mail Website

Human Rights Campaign: State Maps of Laws & Policies This resource provides an up-to-date national map of state laws and policies that affect the LGBTQ community. Website

ACLU Know Your Rights: HIV and Civil Rights in the Workplace United States law protects anyone with AIDS or HIV from job discrimination. This resource explains the legal rights of HIV-positive people in the workplace. Website

ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law This resource provides answers to 28 frequently asked questions about the legal rights of transgender Americans. Website

ACLU Know Your Rights: LGBT High School Students Under the U.S. Constitution, public schools have to address any harassment against LGBT students the same way they would address harassment against any other student. This resource goes over the Constitutional rights of LGBTQ students and offers suggestions for how to put them into action. Website

Criminal Justice

Moving Beyond Bias: How To Ensure Access to Justice for LGBT People This curriculum was created by Lambda Legal to provide a model for educating judges, attorneys and other legal professionals about sexual orientation, gender identity and the needs of LGBT people in the legal system. Website

ACLU’s Know Your Rights: Transgender Prisoners Each transgender person’s experience in prison and jail is different, in part because the conditions vary a great deal from one prison to another and change over time. However, the safety and health of every transgender prisoner in the United States is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution no matter where the prisoner is held. This resource explains the rights of transgender people in prison. Website

Unjust: How the Broken Criminal Justice System Fails LGBT People LGBT people are over-represented in the criminal justice system. This series of reports, videos, and info-graphics highlights personal stories of LGBT people impacted by the criminal justice system and spotlights innovative programs, initiatives and organizations from around the country. Website

Lambda Legal (National Headquarters, NYC) Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. 212-809-8585 Contact WebsiteEducation and School

Employment

Safe Spaces – Out & Equal Workplace Advocates 415-694-6500 E-mail Website

Family, Parenting, Adoption

Family Equality Council 646-880-3005 Website

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Website

Children, Youth and Adults with an LGBT Parent (COLAGE) Website

Human Rights Campaign: All Children-All Families 202-628-4160 E-mail Website

Health

HIV-AIDS, STD Prevention – Hyacinth The mission of Hyacinth is to help people live with HIV, slow the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. Plainfield 908-755-0021 Hotline 800-433-0254 Regional Office Website

HIV-AIDS – Iris House Iris House saves lives through comprehensive support, prevention and education services for women, families, and under served populations affected by HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in a safe, family-centered environment by passionate, professional and culturally competent staff. Plainfield 908-561-5057 E-mail Website

Mental Health / Suicide Prevention – The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 E-mail Website

Homelessness

Runaway – National Runaway Safeline The National Runaway Safeline is there to listen if you are thinking of running away or already have. The Safeline, available by phone at 1-800-RUNAWAY, text at 66008, or instant message on their website, can help connect you to resources for runaway youth in your area. 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929 Online Services Website

Youth Shelter – Community Access Unlimited Union County Shelter and Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter The Union County Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter has a vision to halt the cycle of homelessness by offering various programs that will enable youth to move forward to a safer, healthier, and more productive lifestyle within the community. 908-354-3040 Extension 242 Toll Free 908-354-3096 24 Hour Access 908-413-4261 Runaway Hotline: 1-800-RUNAWAY E-mail Website

Housing – Union County Department of Human Services Continuum of Care/Homeless Unit Union County offers a wide array of housing options and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including: emergency shelter, permanent housing and supportive services; street outreach, engagement and case management; and prevention strategies. This resources provides more information on how to access services. 908-527-4874 or 908-527-4861 E-mai

Youth Shelter – Covenant House Covenant House provides trauma-informed, resilience-focused housing and supportive services to youth facing homelessness – offering a safe shelter for LGBTQ and trafficked youth. Elizabeth 908-354-4750 Newark Crisis Center 973-621-8705 E-mail Website

TIP Sheet: Working with Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth If you are working with homeless youth, you are almost guaranteed to encounter a client that identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ). This resource explains some of the unique challenges homeless LGBTQ youth face and includes a list of additional resources.Information Coming soon

Youth Shelter – RAIN Foundation (Essex County) The RAIN Foundation is a 501(c)3 non profit that provides emergency shelter services to address the emergent need of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals experiencing crisis leading to homelessness. Our programs promote self-sufficiency and independence to enhance our residents’ ability to function within their communities. Our programs aim to help adolescents lead healthy, productive and meaningful lives. 973-675-6780 Website

Monarch Housing Associates 29 Alden Street, Suite 1B Cranford, NJ 07016 908-272-5363

Older Adults

SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders National Headquarters in New York City 212-741-2247 Contact Website

SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline 1-888-234-SAGE or 1-888-234-7243 E-mail Website

Union County Division on Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection (ADRC) Information coming soon

Transgender-Specific

A Legal Guide for Trans People and Their Advocates Within this Transgender Rights Toolkit, readers will find answers to many questions that transgender people and their advocates may ask as they navigate through life. This toolkit is meant to be a resource and advocacy tool designed to educate and empower a community often left outside the walls of power. Legal Guide

Youth

HMI: New Jersey – Hetrick-Martin Institute HMI: New Jersey provides free year-round programs and services for LGTBQ youth and allies ages 13-21 … HMI: New Jersey is located in Newark, New Jersey and serves youth from Essex, Hudson, Union and Middlesex counties, and is the only LGBT organization contracted with the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency Department. 212-674-2400 Contact Website

Mental Health / Suicide Prevention – The Trevor Project A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. 1-866-488-7386 Contact Website

Know Your Rights

Have an update or addition? Please contact us!

Union County – Safe Space for LGBTQ Individuals

Union County – Safe Space for LGBTQ Individuals
On October 11, 2018, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared by resolution Union County a safe space for  LGBTQ individuals, further noting that the County of Union has had a longstanding policy against discrimination, and this policy is incorporated into the Administrative Code of Union County insofar as it relates to County employment, contracts, and other activities.

NJ Division of Civil Rights: Know the Law

NJ Division of Civil Rights: Know the Law

NJ Law Against Discrimination (LAD)

NJ Law Against Discrimination (LAD) The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-12) (LAD) makes it unlawful to subject people to differential treatment based on race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), familial status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, and mental or physical disability, perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status. The LAD prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation, credit and business contracts.

Public Accommodation under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)

Public Accommodation under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits an owner, manager, or employee of any place that offers goods, services and facilities to the general public, such as a restaurant, hotel, doctor’s office, camp, or theater, from directly or indirectly denying or withholding any accommodation, service, benefit, or privilege to an individual because of that individual’s race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability. Further, individuals accompanied by a guide or service dog are entitled to full and equal access to all places of public accommodation.

NJ Division of Civil Rights Sexual Orientation Fact Sheet

NJ Division of Civil Rights Sexual Orientation Fact Sheet The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination prohibits discrimination based on sexual or affectional orientation. Federal law does not extend protection in this area. This means that it is against the law for you to be treated differently or otherwise denied the rights and privileges extended to others on the basis of sexual orientation. The law also forbids discrimination on the basis of ‘perceived’ sexual orientation, meaning that the Law protects you if you are subjected to discrimination because someone makes an erroneous presumption about your sexual orientation.

Garden State Equality FAQ: Transgender Student Rights in NJ

Garden State Equality FAQ: Transgender Student Rights in NJ This resource provides answers to several frequently asked questions about the legal rights of transgender students in our schools.

ACLU Know Your Rights: LGBT High School Students

ACLU Know Your Rights: LGBT High School Students Under the U.S. Constitution, public schools have to address any harassment against LGBT students the same way they would address harassment against any other student. This resource goes over the Constitutional rights of LGBTQ students and offers suggestions for how to put them into action.

ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law

ACLU Know Your Rights: Transgender People and the Law This resource provides answers to 28 frequently asked questions about the legal rights of transgender Americans.

ACLU Know Your Rights: HIV and Civil Rights in the Workplace

ACLU Know Your Rights: HIV and Civil Rights in the Workplace United States law protects anyone with AIDS or HIV from job discrimination. This resource explains the legal rights of HIV-positive people in the workplace.

Human Rights Campaign: State Maps of Laws & Policies

Human Rights Campaign: State Maps of Laws & Policies This resource provides an up-to-date national map of state laws and policies that affect the LGBTQ community.

Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.