Lexington has ranked in the top 2 percent of municipalities nationwide as a leading city for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights organization. The city is the tenth highest ranked city among 506 municipalities across the country.
Additionally, for the third year in a row, Lexington has received the highest score in Kentucky. The annual Municipal Equality Index, MEI, review is based on how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of their LGBTQ communities. Lexington is fourth best among rated municipalities in surrounding states, behind Cincinnati, Ohio, Virginia Beach, VA, and Columbus, Ohio.
“I am so proud that Lexington continues to be recognized as an equality leader in Kentucky, as well as rising to the top in the nation,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Over the past five years, we have focused on diversity and inclusion in City policies and ordinances. This is a testament to our work.”
Lexington received an overall rating score of 114 this year, as compared to 110 last year. The Human Rights Campaign annually reviews policies, laws and services of 506 municipalities across the nation. The organization considers 100 to be a perfect score, but municipalities are able to receive flex points allowing for a highest potential score of 122. Lexington has been rated by the Human Rights Campaign since 2013. The city has progressively improved its score, moving up from an initial rating of 53.
Lexington-Fayette was the first county in the state to pass an inclusive fairness ordinance in 1999. Since that time, the City has passed domestic partner benefits for government employees, strengthened discrimination protection language, started utilization of all-gender signage for city-owned, single occupancy facilities, celebrated with the annual Lexington Pride Festival, supported local LGBTQ youth support organizations, passed a ban on youth conversion therapy, launched the LexProud campaign, and more.
Lexington’s scorecard can be found at Lexington HRC MEI Scorecard and the full Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index report can be found at hrc.org/mei.
