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NJCU Amplifies Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Archive in Celebration of LGBTQ History Month
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) is proud to shine a spotlight on the Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Archive, a digital repository dedicated to preserving the voices and stories of LGBTQ individuals throughout the region. As part of the university's commitment to fostering inclusivity and amplifying underrepresented voices, NJCU is emphasizing the importance of this archive in recognition of LGBTQ History Month.
Launched in Fall 2021, the Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Archive began as a collaborative project between NJCU’s Dr. Jennifer Musial, professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, her Community Engaged Learning class "LGBTQ Social Change," and the Hudson Pride Center. This collaboration has resulted in a remarkable digital collection that offers personal stories and firsthand accounts of LGBTQ experiences, making them freely accessible to community members, students, educators, and researchers.
The website can be viewed at https://hudsoncountyqueerhistory.omeka.net/
Hudson Pride’s Clinical Director Dr. David Rosen connected students with interested narrators, and through word-of-mouth, additional narrators were brought in. Rosen feels the project aligns with Hudson Pride’s mission to amplify LGBTQ voices.
Rosen, the newest member of NJCU’s President’s Community Advisory Council, said: “Increasing the general public's understanding and awareness of the lives and needs of vulnerable populations like the LGBTQ+ community is key to achieving social justice for all. By serving as a virtual space where the voices, histories and dreams of diverse members of Hudson County's LGBTQ+ community are able to be heard by anyone anywhere through the click of a button, this archive mirrors Hudson Pride's own efforts to be a voice in advancing public awareness of our LGBTQ+ community's diverse needs and a physical home where our many social and wellness programs can most effectively meet those needs.”
Dr. Musial and her students have played a critical role in documenting queer histories by interviewing LGBTQ elders from Hudson County. The project not only provides invaluable insight into the lived experiences of queer individuals from all walks of life but also helps highlight the vibrant and diverse history of the region — a history often overshadowed by the proximity of New York City. The archive serves as a powerful educational tool, allowing future generations to understand the rich cultural legacy of LGBTQ communities in Hudson County.
“This project is truly special because of the student involvement,” said Dr. Musial. “From conducting interviews to tagging audio logs, NJCU students have been at the forefront of bringing these voices to light. We’re not just teaching history; we’re actively preserving it.”
The Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Archive represents a unique resource for those interested in exploring the intersection of queer history and local culture. NJCU faculty members like Dr. Musial continue to partner with community organizations like Hudson Pride Center to ensure that the next generation of Gothic Knights are not only well-educated but also actively engaged in community service and social justice initiatives.
This Community Engaged Learning project aligns with NJCU’s new Academic Master Plan to be a place-based institution built on civic and community engagement.
Dr. Jason Martinek, Assistant Provost of Faculty and Staff Development, praised the project, saying: “The Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Project shows how NJCU has embraced community needs in its mission refresh. Faculty members like Dr. Jennifer Musial are collaborating with local groups and finding ways to both educate the next generation of Gothic Knights as well as serve community needs. This project is particularly extraordinary given the level of student involvement from conducting interviews to tagging [audio] logs.”
Narrators who participated have sung its praises, such as Jersey City Pride co-producer Eduardo Baez who says, “I felt honored to be included in the inaugural cohort. Taking part in the oral history project helped me to realize the importance of assuming my place as an LGBTQ+ elder. Thank you for including my story in the archive.”
In 2024, Dr. Musial worked with two interns to build the archive’s website. Through these interviews, narrators, students and audience members are provided with a timeline and capsule of LGBTQ life in Hudson County. Musial’s class has conducted 25 interviews so far and the first eight are now available; further interviews will be processed and posted online throughout the next year.
Anna Trachsler, a senior co-majoring in History and Secondary Education with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies, said: “It was an honor to get this project started alongside Dr. Musial. This archive is vital in sharing the stories of queer elders who might not have had their voices elevated otherwise and being able to help in the projection of their voices and stories has been one of the highlights of my college career.”
Isaael Sanchez, a student majoring in Creative Writing with a minor in Sexuality and Queer Studies, added “In this internship, I learned about the labor and intricacies of processing, preserving, and showcasing queer interviews in a culturally diverse and rich area like Hudson County. It also allowed me to learn important skills for my future career in journalism, like audio editing, writing summaries, and correcting transcripts.”
The project is on-going and aims to include more stories, candid photographs, and other captures of Hudson County’s LGBTQ community. The community can follow the initiative’s Instagram page for interview clips and updates on the archive itself at @hudsoncountylgbtqarchive.
As NJCU continues to amplify the Hudson County LGBTQ Oral History Archive during LGBTQ History Month, the university reaffirms its dedication to preserving diverse stories and advocating for equality. This effort underscores NJCU’s role as both an academic institution and a community partner working to foster a more inclusive and informed society.
About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301