Lakewood is One of the Nation's Friendliest Cities for LGBTQ Community

LAKEWOOD, OH - The city has been ranked one of the friendliest for the LGBTQ community in the nation, according to a recent poll.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's fifth-annual "municipality index," which assessed policies and laws in towns and cities across the country, named Lakewood one of eight Ohio cities that accommodates each community.

The HRC measured non-discrimination laws, municipality as employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and relationship with the LBGTQ community.

Out of a possible 100, Lakewood scored a 77. The city scored a 30 out of 30 on non-discrimination laws and 8 out of 8 for its relationship with the community. It lost points for the lack of an LGBTQ liaison in the mayor's office, the lack of transgender inclusive health benefits, and the lack of an LGBTQ task force among the police.

This year, 60 cities earned perfect scores for advancing fully-inclusive policies and practices -- up from 47 in 2015 and 11 in 2012.

“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.”

Photo via Shutterstock