COLUMBUS RECEIVES PERFECT SCORE ON HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION’S 2016 MUNICIPALITY EQUALITY INDEX

Columbus received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2016 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy. The MEI examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of the 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 the city leadership's public position on equality. In addition to receiving 100 out of a possible 100 points, Columbus was also awarded an additional 6 bonus points for being a welcoming city to work, providing services to LGBTQ elderly, people living with HIV/AIDS, and the transgender community, having openly LGBTQ elected or appointed municipal leaders and being pro-equality despite restrictive state laws.“I am beyond pleased that Columbus is rated so high by the Human Rights Campaign,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The people of Columbus are open and welcoming. I am grateful to all who have fought to make sure the laws and services of our city reflect our community values.”