The Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro each earned the highest possible scores in an annual review of how inclusive laws are to the LGBTQ+ community — two of just 120 local governments to reach the mark.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a national advocacy group against discrimination of the LGBTQ+ population, recently published its 2022 Municipal Equality Index. The tool scores small, medium and large-sized cities across the U.S. on their policies, social structures and local services offered to those who live and work there.
Chapel Hill received a perfect 100 rating, with the Human Rights Campaign noting the town’s recent legislation banning discrimination in public accommodations and employment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. It is the second consecutive year the town has earned the highest possible rating.
“We are so pleased to receive this news,” said Mayor Pam Hemminger in a town release. “Again, this year, Chapel Hill’s Municipal Equality Index score demonstrates our commitment to putting our values of inclusion and respect into action and to taking new steps each year to be a supportive community for everyone.”
“It is critically important that municipalities like Chapel Hill continue to be strong advocates and allies to the LGBTQ+ community,” added Town Manager Maurice Jones. “We are proud to do everything we can to advance equality by making our community a safe and welcoming place for all.”
The Town of Carrboro also received a score of 100 — a big jump after notching a rating of 82 in 2021. The database gave strong credit to the local government’s provision of resources to LGBTQ+ youth, transgender residents, and residents living with HIV or AIDS.
“I’m thrilled that Carrboro will close out 2022 with a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index,” Mayor Damon Seils said in a town alert. “Through our policies and services, we will continue working to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are safe, welcomed, and respected in Carrboro.”
While the Town of Hillsborough did not have a 2022 rating, several of Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s other neighbors did. Durham notched a score of 92, while Raleigh earned an 85. Cary, which was the other closest town added to the database, scored a 50.
The Human Rights Campaign said the 120 cities across the U.S. with scores of 100 is a record for the database — largely driven by local governments passing ordinances banning conversion therapy ordinances and offering inclusive health benefits to transgender employees. While the average city score was a 69 on the Municipal Equality Index’s scale, 2022 marked the fifth consecutive year the average score has improved.
The executive report from the Human Rights Campaign’s 2022 Municipal Equality Index can be found on the organization’s website.
Photo via the Town of Carrboro.
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