The City of Alexandria recently received its score for the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI) and for the fifth year in a row, the City has received a perfect score, and an increase of 6 points from last year’s ranking. The City joins 130 other cities in the US in earning a perfect score. Several areas factored in this increase, including:
- Inclusive workplace
- The City of Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ Task Force provides training on LGBTQ+ inclusion for public safety recruits and direct service providers.
- The City provides a “Diversity in Practice: Working with the LGBTQ+ Community” training to all employees, available throughout the year.
- During Pride Month, a message to employees was sent by the City Manager, along with a special Lunch & Learn opportunity with the City’s Chief Race and Social Equity Officer, Dr. Emerald Christopher.
- Services to LGBTQ+ Youth
- The City’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), in partnership with Safe Space NOVA, is providing grant-funded services to LGBTQ+ youth, which includes healthy relationships curriculum and a support group.
- Services to LGBTQ+ Older Adults
- The City’s Commission on Aging works with City agencies to provide LGBTQ+ inclusive services for older adults, which includes workshops and training for internal and external partners.
To see the City’s Full Scorecard, visit alexandriava.gov/HumanRights.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipality Equality Index provides a public snapshot of how committed a given city or town is to LGBTQ+ equality and a framework for mayors, councilors, and administrators around the country with impactful steps they can take to protect their LGBTQ+ residents and staff.
For more information on the HRC’s Municipal Equality Index can be found at hrc.org/MEI
For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications & Community Engagement at newsroom@alexandriava.gov.