San Diego is one of eleven cities that scored 100 percent in the new Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index (MEI) released yesterday.
The MEI, the first ever rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law, finds that while many U.S. cities lag behind in protections for LGBT people, some of the most LGBT-friendly policies in the country have been innovated and implemented at the municipal level, including in states with laws that are unfriendly to the LGBT community. The MEI was issued in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute.
Key findings from the MEI create a snapshot of LGBT equality in 137 municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation – these include the 50 state capitals, the 50 most populous cities in the country, and the 25 large, 25 mid-size, and 25 small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples. San Diego and other 100-point cities serve as shining examples of LGBT inclusivity, with excellent policies ranging from non-discrimination laws, equal employee benefits, and cutting-edge city services. Three other cities in California also scored 100 percent: Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Commenting on the announcement San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria said, “I’m proud that the entire nation knows that San Diego stands for equality. This is the result of decades of work by many in the LGBT community with incredible support from our allies. I am proud to have played a direct role championing this progress by authoring the City’s Equal Benefits Ordinance.
“In addition to the criteria considered by the HRC, we’ve created a culture that not is not only inclusive, but celebrates San Diego’s rich diversity. In just the last year, our City became home to the first street honoring slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk, and installed a Pride Flag Monument in Hillcrest. These are more than token gestures; they are permanent fixtures that welcome every person of every background and belief to our City.
“San Diegans deserve recognition as well for being open minded and progressive thinkers who not only support our movement toward equality, but continue to elect LGBT representatives and our allies to all levels of government.”
