Exploring Ocean Casino Resort, The Jersey Shore’s Dedicated Ally To The LGBTQ Community

Spanning roughly 130 miles from the Middlesex County coast down to the birdwatching capital of Cape May, the iconic Jersey Shore has been a popular vacation destination for decades on end, with Atlantic City serving as a particularly notable spot. In addition to a lengthy boardwalk and large concentration of bars and restaurants, the seaside community has served as the Garden State’s gambling hub since 1976, with no shortage of towering casinos to explore along the shore—yet when it comes to social advocacy, few properties are able to match the dedication of Ocean Casino Resort.

Officially opened in 2018, this 710-foot-tall venue has made waves across the state thanks to its spectacular array of amenities, with close to 2,000 slot machines, a 45,000-square-foot beachclub, and more than fifteen drinking and dining venues packed into one property—but there’s a lot more to Ocean Casino Resort than just endless entertainment. From the very beginning, the property has been dedicated to supporting one of the earth’s most marginalized groups, placing LGBTQ rights as a central tenet of the resort’s overall mission.

“Since opening five years ago, Ocean Casino Resort has supported the LGBTQ community through our roster of events and charitable donations along with our commitment to inclusive equal opportunity employment,” says Kelly Burke, SVP & CMO for Ocean Casino Resort. “Ocean takes every occasion provided to celebrate the LGBTQ community, not just during Pride Month, but all year round. Ocean Casino Resort is honored to be one of the largest and proudest allies in the Garden State and remains steadfast in preserving an inclusive and inviting environment for the LGBTQ+ community property-wide.”

There’s no shortage of LGBTQ-focused events to enjoy across Ocean Casino Resort, but for a particularly memorable night at the property, visitors should be sure to swing by on June 17th for a classic Ocean Pride Drag Showcase. Occurring regularly throughout the year, the event serves as one of the Garden State’s most dazzling displays, featuring performances by Pattaya Hart, Jolina Jasmine, and a star-studded array of other queens—and as an added bonus, the showcase doubles as a fundraiser, with proceeds from the event donated to Garden State Equality.

In addition to the Drag Showcase, Ocean Casino Resort is also a proud partner of Garden State Equality for the annual Equality Walk, a long-running event that celebrates both LGBTQ History Month and Coming Out Day while simultaneously raising funds to ensure that LGBTQ rights are protected well into the future—and while LGBTQ allyship is a particularly prominent cause for Ocean Casino Resort, it’s far from the only one that the property is aligned with. With World Oceans Day on the horizon, Ocean Casino Resort has organized a beach cleanup across 20 acres on June 7th, while the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has received a $1,000 donation to continue rehabilitating the Garden State’s native aquatic creatures.

While Ocean Casino Resort is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, this towering venue has also established itself as one of the New Jersey hospitality scene’s most notable allies, serving as a welcoming community for LGBTQ guests that’s equal parts supportive and fun-filled. As you plan your next summer excursion to the Shore, don’t miss out on this vibrant, luxurious, and—above-all—humanitarian resort.