RISING:
MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX (MEI) : HOW FAIR IS YOUR CITY?
The Municipal Equality Index (MEI), produced by HRC and the Equality Federation Institute, evaluates municipal laws, policies and services to assess how inclusive they are of the LGBTQ people who live and work there. MEI ratings are based on non-discrimination laws, employment policies and benefits, municipal services, law enforcement policies, and city leaders’ public positions on equality.
in 2012. They include every state capital, the 200 largest cities in the U.S., and cities with a high proportion of same-sex couples, among other criteria. The combined population among all cities rated is more than 93 million. By documenting and drawing attention to the issue of municipal equality, the MEI brings visibility to municipal efforts to end discrimination and celebrates the progress cities across the country are making with the help of local partners.
This year’s MEI rated 506 cities from every state in the nation — 98 more cities than the previous edition, and 369 more since the first MEI was released
MEI THEN AND NOW 600
506
500
400
228
300
200
137
100
164
125
61
50
86
59
34
25
15
5
10
MEI CITIES WITH LGBTQ POLICE LIAISONS
MEI CITIES OFFERING AT LEAST ONE TRANSGENDERINCLUSIVE HEALTH CARE PLAN
2016
2012
2016
2012
2016
2012
2016
MEI CITIES WITH COMPREHENSIVE, INCLUSIVE NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS
MEI CITIES WITH POLICIES PROHIBITING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES
HRC
CITIES RATED BY MEI
2012
2016
2012
0
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