Newark's Broadway House serves as the state's only specialized care facility for people living with HIV, AIDS and other illnesses.

Two residents recovering from health conditions and addictions quickly created a bond and were able to move in with each other thanks to a recent law that makes it illegal to discriminate against the LGBTQ community and HIV plus facility residents.

Melissa Rose Cooper reports from the facility as part of our ongoing series Chasing the Dream, which focuses on justice poverty and economic opportunity.

After all the years I've been on the streets and the stuff I went through for the drugs, the alcohol, the prostitution, I don't want that no more now.

I want a life of my own.

I want to be able to be a civilian and be able to live next door to my neighbor and continue on a dream.

Joey Rutecki can finally see coming true thanks to help from Broadway House.

New Jersey's only specialized care facility for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Joey, who has been living with AIDS for over 31 years, came to Broadway House after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

I was probably about 125, 130 pounds, sick, you know, anything like that.

I haven't been on medication for a long time.

But now things are looking up something Joey says has also been possible because of the love and compassion from his roommate, Lulu.

Through our conversations, we realized that we had a lot in common, and that would be the arts you know, we both really, really enjoyed crafts and drawing and stuff like that.

So that kind of brought us together.

And then some of his past I have the same type of past.

I have been in recovery for quite some time, but I wasn't always, you know, I used to use drugs.

It's mental with almost 30 years now that I have.

And I also prostituted back in those days.

So I understood his story.

So when the idea of the two of them sharing a room came up, she didn't hesitate.

I said, no, he's a queen like me.

So you know what I mean?

What difference would it make?

Now the friends are making history, becoming the first mixed-sex roommates at the Broadway House.

It's a change that wasn't possible before 2021 when a bill of rights preventing discrimination against LGBTQ long-term care residents was signed into law.

James Gonzalez, president and CEO, says giving them this choice is another way to make sure the facility is inclusive.

While working to get residents back on their feet.

The whole concept was to try to care for people in a more home care setting and bring together the professional staff that can address specifically those living with HIV medications or complex the illnesses.

Illnesses are complex and so we bring together a team of qualified individuals infectious disease physicians, nurse practitioners and drug counselors and psychiatrists to come together to address all the needs of our residents.

It's been like being home to a belonging to a family because, I mean, we're born in the family.

We're not asked to be there.

But sometimes you don't have to be blood to be family.

Now, Joey and Lulu are hoping their story will inspire others even decorating their room to reflect an inviting space.

Not only are we advocating for LGBTQ, but we're hoping that we can advocate for hope for life.

Creating an everlasting bond that will last beyond these walls.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Melissa Rose Cooper.

Major funding for Chasing the Dream is provided by the JPB Foundation, with additional funding from the Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund.