For the sixth year in a row, Alexandria has received a “perfect score” from an annual evaluation of United States cities by a national LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit.
Alexandria earned a maximum score of 100 points on its Municipal Equality Index scorecard from the Human Rights Campaign, the city announced yesterday (Wednesday). The score accounts for factors like non-discrimination laws, protections for LGBTQ+ employees and fair enforcement of the law.
“Earning a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index is an achievement we are proud of, but it is also a reminder of the work we must continue to do,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins told ALXnow. “We will continue working every day to keep Alexandria a city that truly champions equality and ensure every LGBTQIA+ Alexandrian feels welcomed and protected.”
Alexandria earned the maximum points available across five categories, meeting criteria like having a police liaison or task force for LGBTQ+ issues and offering transgender-inclusive health care benefits to city employees.
- Non-discrimination laws
- Municipality as employer
- Municipal services
- Law enforcement
- Leadership of LGBTQ+ Equality
The city also earned 14 bonus “flex” points for the following criteria, deemed “not accessible to all cities at this time.”
- Protecting youth from conversion therapy
- Offering domestic partner benefits for city employees
- Providing services to LGBTQ+ youth
- Providing services to LGBTQ+ older adults
- Providing services to people living with HIV or AIDS
- Having openly LGBTQ+ elected or appointed leaders
- Testing limits of restrictive state laws
“At a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are at stake, the MEI and the rubric it provides for cities and towns across the country have never been more important,” the city said in its announcement.
The city’s complete scorecard is available to view, below.
This story has been updated with a new statement from Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
