Human Rights Campaign announces Richmond has highest Municipal Equality Index Score in Virginia

Mayor Stoney announced this week that the City of Richmond received the highest Municipal Equality Index scorecard in the Commonwealth of Virginia as determined by the Human Rights Campaign.

Out of the 11 municipalities scored in Virginia, Richmond received a score of 94. Out of the 506 municipalities scored in 2018, the City of Richmond experienced the most significant score increase nationwide.

Richmond was named an “MEI All-Star” and spotlighted as a “city boldly leading the way to equality” in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2018 MEI report.

Each year the Human Rights Campaign rates cities across the United States based on their initiatives to support LGBTQ communities. This process is called their Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scorecard where cities are scored from 0-100 on items such as non-discrimination laws, transgender-inclusive health benefits for city employees, inclusive workplaces, and LGBTQ liaisons in the city’s executive office, to name a few.

In 2017, Richmond received a 42 on the MEI scorecard. By working with City Council to establish a Human Rights Commission and non-discrimination laws, designating a policy advisor to serve as the Mayor’s LGBTQ liaison, and offering transgender-inclusive health benefits for city employees, officials say Richmond was able to increase its score by 52 points since 2017.

“I am thrilled that Richmond has taken so many positive steps to protect and support our LGBTQ community,” Mayor Stoney said in a statement. “I have always said that no matter the color of your skin, the neighborhood you live in, or who you love, that you are welcome in the City of Richmond – and Richmond’s 2018 MEI scorecard echoes that message.”

He added, “We have come a long way over the past two years, and will continue our great work to make Richmond more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming.”