The City of Palm Springs has achieved a perfect score of 100 in a survey of LGBT equality in California conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
Palm Springs joins Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach, and West Hollywood to earn perfect scores from the HRC’s 2014 Municipal Equality Index. Of the 55 California cities surveyed, the average score was 73.
The HRC’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) examines the laws, policies, and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there. The 2014 MEI rated 353 cities or an increase of more than 60 from 2013.
Palm Springs graded perfect scores under Law Enforcement, Relationship Recognition (marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships), Non Discrimination Laws, and Relationship with the LGBT Community. The city graded a 23 out of 29 under Municipality as Employer, missing points for “City Contractor Equal Benefits Ordinance,” and 10 out of 15 under Municipal Services.
Bonus points were earned for “City provides services for/supports LGBT youth,” “Openly LGBT elected or appointed municipal leaders,” and “Inclusive workplace,” among others.
“The City of Palm Springs is a unique and wonderfully diverse community and we pride ourselves on welcoming everyone,” says Mayor Steve Pougnet. “Palm Springs, like no place else, is now one of the most inclusive cities in the country when it comes to welcoming and celebrating our LGBT community and I want to thank City staff for ensuring equality is a top priority in Palm Springs.”
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