According to
the release, the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a joint study by the Human Rights
Campaign, Equality Federation Institute, and the Gay and Lesbian Victory
Institute, creates “a snapshot of LGBT equality in 137
municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation.” Columbus scored the highest of Ohio’s largest cities, scoring
83 points on the MEI compared to 77 points for both Cincinnati and
Cleveland. The
MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories:
- Non-discrimination
laws;
- Relationship recognition;
- The
municipality’s employment practices;
- Inclusiveness of
city services;
- Law enforcement;
and
- Municipal
leadership.
“Eighty-three points on the MEI is a
terrific score, and what is truly impressive is that Columbus picked up all
possible 18 points for non-discrimination laws,” said Cathryn Oakley,Legislative Counsel,
State and Municipal Advocacy for the HRC.
“Communities normally receive points based on state, county, and local
initiatives. But in Columbus’ case,
thanks to their ongoing efforts to make the city welcoming to all people, they
were able to pick up the maximum points on their own, without the help of the
state or county.”
In the past few years, the Columbus City Council has passed significant
legislation to improve the quality of life for all residents, including those
in the LGBT community. Some of these
code changes and ordinances strengthen the family, such as when City Council
approved the extension of employee
benefits to certain eligible dependents, including unmarried couples. Others promote a more inviting business
climate in Columbus by creating a Domestic Partner Registry to allow unmarried couples regardless
of sexual orientation to formally register their relationship, removing the
administrative burden on businesses and public institutions to define and
certify the existence a relationship.
“The support that our elected
officials and residents of Columbus have given to our LGBT community goes
beyond legislation,” said Karla Rothan, Executive Director, Stonewall Columbus.
“For over thirty years Stonewall Columbus has looked to our city as a partner
in building the first and only LGBT community center in Central Ohio.
Columbus is one of the best cities for an LGBT person to live in because
our fair-minded City Council and Mayor have stood by us to help educate our
residents and create an awareness that allows us all to live openly and without
fear. This inclusiveness brings our community out of the shadows and allows us
to contribute our unique talents, helping to make
Columbus one of the greatest, most
diverse cities in the world.”
Click here to view Equality
Ohio’s news release on the MEI.
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