Paul Mendoza remembered when he and his domestic partner, Miguel Cardenas, moved to downtown Jersey City in the late 1990s.
“There wasn’t much of a gay scene back then,” Mendoza said. “A lot of people didn’t go out here but instead they would go into Manhattan.”
Much has changed since then, starting in 2001 with the city’s first festival dedicated to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) community. Reflective of that change is the fact that the festival is celebrating its 10th year this Saturday, Aug. 28 in Exchange Place in downtown Jersey City. The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m.
This year’s festival is the most extensive in its short history, according to Mendoza, one of the co-founders of the Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outeach (JCLGO), a community organization that works to increase visibility of the LGBT community.
“A lot of people didn’t go out here but instead they would go into Manhattan.” – Paul Mendoza
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The festival will include vendors and entertainment provided by such performers as the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps and rock band Plastiq Passion.
And for those fans obsessed with reality shows, “Kim G,” a.k.a. Kim Granatell, a cast member of the show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” will volunteer at the festival.
A changing scene
Mendoza said the march and rally before the festival and the festival itself this year could bring in the largest attendance in the festival’s existence.
He said that is a reflection of the transformation of Jersey City into a more “gay-friendly” town as more LGBT persons are moving here.
“When my partner and I moved to Jersey City, it was about finding an affordable place to live,” Mendoza said. “We did have some gay friends who lived here, but now there are more that are coming to live here.”
Current numbers are not available for the LGBT population in Jersey City specifically, although the 2000 U.S. Census American Community Survey estimated that 568,903 LGBT individuals live in the New York City/Northern New Jersey/Long Island, New York Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Mendoza said he believes the population has increased based on the growing number of gay-based establishments springing up in downtown Jersey City, such as the Star Bar on Barrow Street (one of the festival’s sponsors) and the Warehouse Café on Bay Street.
That, he says, has helped “change the atmosphere” for LGBT residents to spend more time in their hometown. In particular, it has brought about this year the “Pride Week” of activities celebrating the LGBT community leading up to the festival.
The week includes raisings of the official LGBT “rainbow flag” at both City Hall on Grove Street and at the Brennan Courthouse on Newark Avenue.
“As more and more [LGBT] people move here, they will go more comfortable like they would if move to Chelsea or Greenwich Village,” Mendoza said.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.
Festival itinerary
On Saturday, Aug. 28, the 10th Annual LGBT Pride Festival will have the following schedule:
11 a.m. – The Full Equality Rally on the steps of City Hall.
12:30 p.m. – March from City Hall, down Montgomery Street to Greene Street through festival site at Exchange Place.
Noon – 8 p.m. – The Festival featuring Market Place and Entertainment at Exchange Place. A $5 suggested donation to attend this year’s festival and proceeds will help pay for the cost of producing the Pride festival.
8 p.m. – Official Jersey City Pride after Party and block party sponsored and produced by Hard Grove Cafe at 319 Grove St. A $10 donation pays for a buffet featuring Latin cuisine, three beers, live DJ and dance party.