WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) — Sixty cities in the United States earned perfect scores in the fifth annual Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index.
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign rates cities on a scale of 0-100 on their laws, policies, benefits and services relating to gay rights. There are standard points and 20 bonus points, awarded for anti-bullying policies in schools that protect LGBTQ students, reporting of hate crimes to the FBI, and health care plans for transgender municipal employees that cover sex changes.
The average score among 506 cities rated was 55.
Large cities that scored perfect scores included cities that are known for protecting gay rights: San Francisco; New York City; Portland, Ore.; Orlando, Fla; San Diego; San Jose, Calif; Las Vegas; and Austin, Texas.
But some cities scored perfect scores in more conservative states: Atlanta in Georgia, Louisville in Kentucky and St. Louis in Missouri.
Charlotte scored 73 on the index despite North Carolina’s transgender bathroom law, HB2, this year.
“This year, dozens of cities across the nation showed they are willing to stand up for LGBTQ people in their communities even when state governments are not,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “This builds on a trend we have long observed: that local governments are at the forefront of our fight for equality. Unfortunately, our opponents have witnessed this progress too, and in recent years, anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have pushed spiteful legislation aimed at pre-empting local protections. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to not only fight for equality at the state and local levels, but to enact comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people under the Equality Act.”
The report singled out Cleveland (81) and Jackson, Miss. (71) as success stories with new non-discrimination ordinances.
Eight cities received zero points: Auburn, Ala.; Hoover, Alaska; Sitka, Alaska; Wasilla, Alaska; Monroe, La.; Southaven, Miss.; Clemson, S.C.; Sheridan, Wyo.
One third of the cities scored fewer than 33 points.
“There are some cities, where the zeroes land pretty hard, said lead author Kate Oakley.
For the first time this year, the index deducted points from the scores of cities that prohibit individuals from using public facilities consistent with their gender identity. It also created a new category of points for offering transgender-specific city services.
