Arlington Scores High on LGBT Equality Index

ARLINGTON, MA — On the heels of Arlington passing a gender identity protections article in April, the town has been given a high mark on the Human Rights Campaign's fifth annual municipal equality index.

The organization announced Monday that Arlington received an overall score of 81 out of 100 in the MEI scorecard. Arlington earned a perfect score in the categories of non-discrimination laws and relationship with LGBTQ Community.

“This year, dozens of cities across the nation showed they are willing to stand up for LGBTQ people in their communities even when state governments are not,” said HRC President Chad Griffin in a press release. “This builds on a trend we have long observed: that local governments are at the forefront of our fight for equality. Unfortunately, our opponents have witnessed this progress too, and in recent years, anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have pushed spiteful legislation aimed at pre-empting local protections. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to not only fight for equality at the state and local levels, but to enact comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people under the Equality Act.”

Senator Ken Donnelly also expressed his pleasure with the community's score.

On May 2, Arlington Town Meeting passed an article requiring that gender identity and expression be included in Arlington's protected classes against discrimination. Town meeting thunderously supported the passage of the article, preventing it from going to an electronic vote.

Ten communities in Massachusetts were graded in this year's list, and five were given perfect scores. Cambridge, Provincetown, Salem, Worcester and Boston received perfect scores.

"Despite another year of legislative attacks on LGBTQ equality, we are not merely holding our ground; we also continue to make significant gains across the country,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute in a press release. “The opportunity for further progress is huge, and we are proud to partner with HRC on the Municipal Equality Index, a powerful roadmap for elected officials and community advocates who want to continue down the path to full equality.”

Image via Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff