Albuquerque Receives Better Than Average Score on National LGBTQ Report Card
October 9, 2018
The City of Albuquerque received a higher-than-average score on this year’s Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services. Even though the MEI requirements were more stringent this year, Albuquerque earned a score of 74, unchanged from last year. The City’s leadership received the top score for public positions on LBGTQ+ equality.
The average score among the 506 cities rated is 58 points. Since the Human Rights Campaign first issued the MEI report card in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has increased dramatically, signaling advances in equality for the LGBTQ community.
“While my administration has made making Albuquerque more inclusive one of our top priorities, we recognize just how much more work is needed to strengthen our laws and policies and fight discrimination against LGBTQ+ community members,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are grateful for the examples that other cities have shared and that our own advocates right here at home are helping us achieve. Working together, we can meet our goal of making Albuquerque safer and more inclusive for everyone.”
The MEI measures equal access to single-stall bathrooms, protections for LGBTQ youth from bullying in city services, and whether laws prohibit businesses from discriminating against LGBTQ residents, among other things.
Albuquerque received high marks for non-discrimination in city employment, having an inclusive workplace, and providing domestic partner benefits in the city’s employee benefit package. The City also rated highly for having a Human Rights Commission, for enforcing non-discrimination and for reporting hate crimes to the FBI.
Mayor Keller and other city leaders received a top score for taking public positions in favor of LGBTQ equality, a stance that is recognized by LGBTQ community leaders.
“Equality New Mexico is proud to be celebrating 25 years of winning equality across our beautiful state. Here in Albuquerque, we are encouraged by the Keller administration’s focus on inclusivity,” said Adrian Carver, Executive Director of Equality New Mexico. “We are even more encouraged by the proactive and collaborative work that our organization and the administration are doing to achieve liberation and self-determination for Burque’s queer community.”
Among the steps the city is taking to make Albuquerque more inclusive is training city employees to foster safe and inclusive work environments. This administration was the first to receive Safe Zone training provided by the Transgender Resource Center, UNM LGBTQ Resource Center and Equality NM.
Albuquerque’s MEI report card can be viewed here.