Hudson Pride: Serving the LGBTQ+ Population in Hudson County

June is Pride Month nationally, so there’s no better time to shed some light on a very important non-profit in Hudson County – Hudson Pride located at 176 Palisade Avenue, 3rd floor in Jersey City. Hudson Pride is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-based organization located in Jersey City, which is also home to the largest LGBTQ community in New Jersey. Established in the 1990s, this wonderful organization serves as an advocate and social service provider for both the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities in Hudson County. 25 years later, the organization continues to deliver necessary and unique services, programs, and events to help the community. We sat down with the head of Hudson Pride, Elizabeth Schedl to learn more about its mission.

About Hudson Pride

Situated in Jersey City, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in this country and home to the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) community in New Jersey. According to its website, Hudson Pride was established in the early 1990s to serve as an advocate and social service provider for both the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities in Hudson County at a time when few organizations in our area were willing and able to do so. The organization offers a ton of programs to the LGBTQ+ population.

Hudson Pride’s Programs

Some of these programs include:

• – Social/educational groups for LGBTQ youth and for LGBTQ seniors;
• – Specialized support groups for transgender individuals and for gay/bisexual men;
• – HIV prevention support group for women of color (of any sexual orientation);
• – Linkage to HIV care services for HIV-infected men who have sex with men, transgender women and women of color who have fallen out of HIV medical care or have never accessed such care;
• – HIV treatment adherence counseling for HIV+ men who have sex with men, HIV+ transgender women, and HIV+ women of color (of any sexual orientation);
• – HIV Pre-Exposure Prevention (PrEP) counseling and linkage to PrEP healthcare services for HIV-negative gay/bisexual men and transgender women delivered in either English or Spanish;
• – Transgender-affirming counseling for accessing necessary documentation for gender marker changes, hormone replacement therapy, and gender-affirming surgical interventions;
• – Brief (4 sessions) support counseling for LGBTQ individuals to assess their counseling needs and to allow time to secure linkage to on-going counseling with a matched LGBTQ-affirming provider;
• – LGBTQ-affirming service referrals, mentoring, and career development;
• – LGBTQ intern program for BSW and MSW students and other disciplines, as appropriate;
• – LGBTQ-focused community programs and events (e.g., delivering student-targeted HS and college presentations, hosting our annual LGBTQ youth prom, open-mic nights or monthly Lez-Fest gatherings, tabling at local cultural festivals, co-sponsoring Jersey City Pride and Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, arranging HIV Testing and Health Screen events, etc.);
• – LGBTQ youth-focused education focusing on issues related to HIV/STI prevention, alcohol/drug prevention, intimate partner violence, LGBTQ history, Healthy Relationships and Anti-bullying;
• – LGBTQ-focused continuing professional education programs for health, academic and social service providers on topics such as Human Sexuality in LGBTQ-Affirming Care, HIV Care & Prevention, Minority Stress & Health Disparities, and LGBTQ Stigma and Oppression.

Volunteer Opportunities

Hudson pride loves having volunteers, especially for their events. You can apply online here. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help with events for the most part — with tons of opportunities coming up for Hudson County Pride. Click here to volunteer or donate.

How can LGBTQ+ allies help locally?

Allies can help by becoming educated about LGBTQ+ culture and people, Elizabeth says. “Respect our gender identities, pronouns, and sexuality, and learn about our needs and the disparities LGBTQ+ community members face within the community, our state, and our nation.” While we have made so much progress in our county over the last 50 years, we still have a long way to go in the fight for equality.

The Hudson Pride center also has a toiletries drive that they host continually — toiletries are needed on a regular basis for LGBTQ youth and adults who are homeless and in need. They can be dropped off or you can contact the organization for a way to connect and get them to those who need.

How Hudson Pride is Still Helping During COVID-19

Hudson Pride will continue to provide services remotely during regular hours of operation (12PM-8PM Monday – Friday), in the following ways:

• • YouthConnect – LGBTQ+ safe space community for youth & young adults {13-24} will be meeting Virtually Every Friday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM via Zoom! *
    • New members are welcome!
    • Email Mercy at mercy@hudsonpride.org or DM on Youth Connect’s IG  for more information on how to join.

• • SAGE – the social networking group for LGBTQ+ people 50+ years of age will continue to provide workshops, community discussions, access to important resources, and referrals regarding healthcare, virtually via Zoom every Tuesday at 6PM and Thursdays at 5PM.
    • Contact Gordon at gordon@hudsonpride.org for more information on how to join.

• • PrEP Services – Its PrEP counselors will continue to provide adherence counseling, linkage to PrEP providers, follow-ups, referrals, and prescription navigation via phone/zoom for new and established clients. Contact Max, Joseph, or Elvis for more information:
    • max@hudsonpride.org // 201-963-4779 x 1121
    • joseph@hudsonpride.org // 201-963-4779 x 1122
    • elvis@hudsonpride.org // 201-963-4779 x 1117

• • HIV Services – Its client service counselors will continue to help individuals who are recently diagnosed with HIV or aren’t in HIV care navigate the resources available to them. Through the Ryan White continuum of care, Hudson Pride is able to link clients to housing or rental assistance, mental health and/or substance abuse resources, and food banks or other nutritional assistance. For more information, contact client service counselors Max and Joseph at:
    • max@hudsonpride.org // 201-963-4779 x 1121
    • joseph@hudsonpride.org // 201-963-4779 x 1122

• • HRT Services – Social workers on staff are available by phone or zoom to assist transgender, gender non-conforming, and questioning individuals navigate the healthcare options available to them in relation to their gender identity or otherwise. For individuals looking for gender-affirming medical procedures, Hudson Pride Center keeps a running list of LGBTQ+ affirming providers both in and surrounding Hudson County. The staff is equipped to help navigate the letter of support/referral letter process should it be required by the individual’s insurance.
    • For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Max at max@hudsonpride.org or by phone 201-963-4779 x 1121

• • Mental Health Pride – The Mental Health Pride Program will continue to cover therapy sessions for LGBTQ+ youth who are currently uninsured and/or on Medicaid.
    • Anyone interested in registering for the program can contact Mercy at mercy@hudsonpride.org for more information.

How you can reach Hudson Pride Center:

• • – Call 201-963-4779 and leave a message.
  • – Email info@hudsonpride.org and your message will be forwarded to the right person.
  • – Message on Facebook: Hudson Pride Center or Instagram: @hudsonpridecenter, which will be checking regularly.

Pride Center is here to ensure that the people in our community have access to us, other necessities, social connection, mental health support, overall health support/referrals, and safety planning. Hudson Pride Center staff and volunteers will continue mobilizing to fill the gaps as other organizations suspend services, as people are quarantined, and as in-person services are reduced. Hudson Pride is here for you. You are not alone.