Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, in partnership with The Equality Federation, released its 10th annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality regarding municipal policies, laws and services in 506 cities across the nation, including eight in Colorado.
The average score for cities in Colorado is 78 out of 100 points, which falls above the national average of 67. This year, a record-breaking 110 cities earned the highest score of 100, which is up from 11 in 2012, the MEI’s inaugural year, illustrating the striking advancements municipalities have made over the past 10 years. HRC Foundation released the following video celebrating the MEI’s 10 year achievements.
“LGBTQ+ people are everywhere—in every city, county and ZIP code. Throughout its 10 year history, the Municipal Equality Index has been centered on supporting and celebrating the work municipalities do to serve LGBTQ+ people in the places they call home,” said JoDee Winterhof, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs. “This year, state-wide lawmakers have zeroed in on attacking transgender and non-binary children—for no reason other than in an effort to harm and erase them. Local leaders, however, have continued to move the needle of progress forward, and by doing so, they have spurred economic growth by signaling to residents, visitors and employers that their city is open to everyone.”
“One Colorado has played a huge role in making Colorado a state leader in terms of LGBTQ rights and protections; from passing Jude’s Law to banning conversion therapy and including gender identity and expression in Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws,” said Nadine Bridges, Executive Director of One Colorado. “We’ve taken monumental steps toward equality. In the past 10 years, we have been able to elect our first openly-gay Governor and our first openly-transgender state legislator. We have made great efforts and One Colorado is committed to continuing the fight and centering our most vulnerable community members in the efforts for equality and social justice.”
The report also contains an issue brief for policymakers that covers how municipalities can support transgender and non-binary individuals, as well as the types of challenges they face, ways that a city can support them, and guidance on forming an anti-transgender and non-binary violence prevention task force. Additionally, the report includes HRC’s Pledge for Local Elected Leaders to End Violence Against Black and Brown Transgender Women.
