For the ninth year in a row, the City of St. Petersburg has scored a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). This is the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. The 2022 MEI evaluates 506 cities on how inclusive cities’ laws, policies, and services are of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people.
Intentional inclusivity in St. Pete
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch is especially proud that the city has continued to uphold its record.
“After nine years of a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index, it could be easy for St. Petersburg to become complacent,” Welch explains. “Rather, it is motivation for the City to explore more ways in which our LGBTQ+ community can be supported, promoted and valued. I appreciate the Human Rights Campaign for holding municipalities accountable. And I especially thank the City’s LGBTQ Liaison Jim Nixon for leading the charge in ensuring that St. Petersburg remains so.”
Jim Nixon currently serves dual roles as Director, Mayor’s Action Center, and LGBTQ Liaison for the City of St. Pete. He has been a constant marketing force in the LGBTQ community throughout Tampa Bay.
“In the face of Anti-LGBTQ legislation, cities must continue to work towards achieving these benchmarks provided through the HRC Municipal Equality Index, says Nixon. “Even if municipalities do not reach 100, this road map of municipal policies and outreach has proven to make Florida cities more inclusive and equitable and have improved the quality of life for all its citizens.”
Related: St. Pete Releases Plans for Historic Gas Plant District
What is the Municipal Equality Index?
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
- Leadership on LGBTQ+ equality
LGBTQ+ people everywhere deserve to live in welcoming places that are focused on building equality for all. Since its launch 11 years ago, the main priority of the Municipal Equality Index remains supporting and celebrating the work cities do to serve LGBTQ+ people in the places they call home
Jodee Winterhof, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs
And across the Bay, Tampa also received a perfect score.