In honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility earlier this month, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the launch of a new transgender information hub, Transgender.NJ.gov.
In a press release, the governor’s office said the new website will serve as a one-stop hub designed to aid New Jersey’s transgender and non-binary community in finding information about essential programs and services.
The website’s initial version contains information such as how to change a name, acquire legal assistance, obtain mental health and medical support, learn about rights and legal protections, and more. For its initial launch, Transgender.NJ.gov is a beta version. The governor’s office said it will be continually updated and enhanced based on feedback from New Jerseyans and community stakeholders who use the site.
“Across the country, the transgender and non-binary community often face barriers to accessing needed services. In New Jersey, we must ensure that we are leading the nation by making a concerted effort to streamline and simplify access to important services, programs, and protections,” said Gov. Murphy. “Transgender.NJ.gov is a critical step to making information more transparent and easier to access, while improving the delivery of services to this community that deserves full and equal treatment and protection.”
Prior to launching the new hub, the state engaged in “extensive” outreach and engagement with the transgender and non-binary community to better understand how people engage with government and the challenges they face.
“When building programs and services for New Jerseyans, we must ensure that we’re building with the communities we’re serving – not just for them,” said New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Beth Simone Noveck. “As we iteratively improve Transgender.NJ.gov to make it increasingly reflective of the transgender and non-binary community’s needs, we look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with the New Jerseyans who will benefit from this site.”
Funding for the new hub comes from the broader Resident Experience Initiative (“ResX”), which is funded via the Federal American Rescue Plan. ResX is intended to streamline, simplify, and improve how New Jersey delivers benefits and services to residents.
