2019 was a great year for the LGBTQ+ communities in West Hollywood and Long Beach.
Both cities earned a score of 100 on the recently released Human Rights Campaign’s 2019 Municipal Equality Index. The MEI is a nationwide evaluation of municipal laws that affect the LGBTQ+ community.
“Eight consecutive years of receiving a top score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index is something the City of West Hollywood is incredibly proud of and not something we take for granted,” said West Hollywood Mayor John D’Amico. “As we know, the current administration is attempting to dismantle legislation that protects the equality and dignity of the LGBTQ community.”
On top of a perfect score of 100, WeHo also received 17 bonus points for specific services that help LGBT youth, seniors and homeless folks; programs for people with HIV/AIDS; and services for transgender people.
Long Beach received 11 bonus points for supportive services including nondiscrimination policies in City employment, workplace inclusivity and the availability of domestic partner benefits for City employees.
“Long Beach is, and will always be, a place where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can live, work and love,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said, as reported by the Long Beach Post.
HRC’s annual report rates over 500 municipalities from each state for their policies and services that support the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. MEI launched in 2012.
“We cannot rest for a moment in protecting our hard-won rights as LGBTQ people,” D’Amico said. “The City of West Hollywood will never stop fighting for our community members here and for LGBTQ people everywhere.”
