Northwest Wayne News

The City of Detroit has received its 8th consecutive 100 score – the maximum possible - on the 2023 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) scoreboard. Each year, the Human Rights Campaign publishes the MEI which evaluates 506 cities on their inclusivity laws and policies for the LGBTQ+ community.  

Detroit’s 100 score this year is notable, however, because it is the first time the city achieved the maximum score based solely on the MEI’s base point system. In past years, the City achieved its 100 points through a combination of base score points, which reflect fundamental policies and practices that support members of the LGBTQ+ community, along with added “Flex” points awarded for practices that go beyond these basic protections.  

This year the city earned all 100 possible base points, as well as 19 Flex points for offering services for LGBTQ+ Youth and for having openly LGBTQ+ appointed members of City government. A city’s final score, however, cannot exceed 100. 

“Being a welcoming city that protects and supports its LGBTQ+ community is something we work at every day, and we are very proud to have achieved this perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Detroit is a city where everyone is welcome and valued, and this year’s scorecard reflects that.”  

The Human Rights Campaign annually publishes the MEI which evaluates 506 cities on their inclusivity laws and policies for the LGBTQ+ community. Each city is able to earn a maximum of 100 base points, as well as additional “flex” points. Detroit’s 19 flex points this year is up from 13 the year before.  

The City of Detroit has continued to strengthen its commitment to policies and practices that support members of the LGBTQ+ community, with this year’s score reflecting Detroit’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and equality for all residents.  

“The City of a Detroit is honored to receive a score of 100! This score reflects our hard work to ensure that Detroit is felt like home to our LGBTQ+ family. When you move to Detroit, you will immediately become part of your neighborhood and welcomed as family,” said Brad Dick, Chief Operating Officer and Administrative Executive for the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group. 

Per the Human Rights Campaign, MEI evaluates and scores cities based on the following categories: 

Non-Discrimination Laws: This category evaluates whether discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited by the city, country or state in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. 

Municipality as Employer: By offering equivalent benefits and protections to LGBTQ+ employees, awarding contracts to fair-minded businesses, and taking steps to ensure an inclusive workplace, municipalities commit themselves to treating LGBTQ+ employees equally. 

Municipal Services: This section assesses the efforts of the city to ensure LGBTQ+ residents are included in city services and programs. 

Law Enforcement:  Enforcement of the law includes responsible reporting of hate crimes and engaging with the LGBTQ+ community in a thoughtful and respectful way. 

Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality: This category measures the city leadership’s commitment to fully include the LGBTQ+ community and to advocate for full equality. 

Detroit seeks to continue to lead the way in establishing policies that ensure the fair treatment of LGBTQ+ residents.  

About Human Rights Campaign:

The Human Rights Campaign has spent 40 years creating the most powerful movement for equality the country has ever seen. But despite this progress, their most marginalized are still suffering from violence, discrimination, and fear. The goal is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world. 

Original source can be found here.