For the third year in a row, the City of Richmond scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality.

When Mayor Levar Stoney initially took office, Richmond scored a mere 42 points on the index. That number has steadily climbed, reaching 100 in 2020, in 2021, and now again in 2022.  This perfect score shows the city’s continued commitment to promoting equality for the LGBTQ+ community and makes Richmond one of the 120 municipalities (out of the 506 rated) to be granted triple digits.

The city made high marks for its non-discrimination laws covering employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations, as well as its focus on protecting youth from conversion therapy. Richmond was credited for having a dedicated LGBTQ+ liaison in the police department and for the reporting of hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals to the FBI, as well as for the Administration’s leadership in supporting pro-equality policies and representation in government. The index further recognized the city’s efforts to provide services to the LGBTQ+ community, the presence of a Human Rights Commission, and liaison in the city’s executive leadership team.

“We are working hard every day to build a welcoming, inclusive and equitable city, and that starts with a commitment to protecting human rights and delivering equality of opportunity for all of our residents,” said Mayor Stoney. “Our commitment is stronger than ever to removing the barriers and systemic injustices faced by our LGBTQ+ residents, and especially LGBTQ+ people of color, and we appreciate the affirmation of our efforts reflected in our 2022 MEI evaluation.” 

For more information on the Municipal Equality Index, visit www.hrc.org/resources/municipal-equality-index.