St. Pete earns perfect score on LGBTQ equality index – again
November 17, 2022 - The City of St. Petersburg has once again received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The index provides the only nationwide assessment of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) inclusion in municipal law, policy and services. The 2022 MEI evaluates 506 cities on how inclusive cities' laws, policies and services for LGBTQ+ people, according to the announcement. "In my first year as mayor, I am proud to be leading a city where intentional inclusivity guides our work. After nine years of a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index, it could be easy for St. Petersburg to become complacent. Rather, it is motivation for the city to explore more ways in which our LGBTQ+ community can be supported, promoted and valued," Mayor Ken Welch said in the city's Thursday news release. "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." Tampa and Orlando also received a score of 100.