The Human Rights Campaign has released its annual Municipal Equality Index and we should all be proud that the City of Orlando has received a perfect score for the fourth-consecutive year.
The 2017 MEI evaluated 506 cities nationwide on their LGBTQ+-inclusive policies and practice including non-discrimination laws, municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of City services, law enforcement and municipal leadership on matters of equality. Orlando is one of only 68 cities in the country to obtain the top score in the MEI.
Our perfect score reflects the City of Orlando’s continued committed of preserving a democratic and inclusive government that serves and represents Orlando’s diverse community.
We’ve been a leader in Florida and throughout the nation in establishing local programs, ordinances and laws that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, including adopting a domestic partnership registry, adding gender identity as a protected class in our anti-discrimination City Code, hosting Orlando Speaks workshops to strengthen relationships and trust between Orlando Police Department officers and residents and providing funds to LGBTQ+ organizations committed to providing social, educational and other services to LGBTQ+ youth and seniors.
Together, we are ensuring that Orlando truly is a city for everyone.
– Buddy Dyer, Mayor
