People in the United States are showing more legal support for the LGBTQ+ community this year than ever before: a record number of cities earned top scores on the Municipal Equality Index, expanding their laws and policies to be more inclusive.
The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group in the U.S., says 88 cities scored 100 percent on legal protections and policies, 10 more than last year and a whopping 77 more than when the index began seven years ago. The ranking looks at factors such as non-discrimination in employment and accommodations, inclusion in public services and enforcement of anti-hate crime laws.
The index shows a record 164 cities offering transgender-inclusive health benefits to city employees, and 28 cities – up from 11 last year – acting against conversion therapy.
“There remains so much more work to be done to protect and empower LGBTQ Americans,” says HRC president Alphonso David. “Fortunately, many local officials in cities and towns across America are leading that work forward.”
