Alexandria Gets Perfect Marks On Municipal Equality Index For 3rd Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA — For the third consecutive year, the City of Alexandria achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. The index grades localities on equality for LGBTQ+ people.

The 2022 MEI evaluated 506 cities or counties based on how inclusive their laws, policies and services are of the LGBTQ+ community. Cities or counties are rated on 49 criteria covering non-discrimination laws in the state and locality, the locality as an employer, inclusion of LGBTQ residents in city services and programs, law enforcement reporting of hate crimes and engagement with the LGBTQ community, and leadership on LGBTQ equality. Cities or counties can receive up to 100 standard points and 22 flex points (awarded for items applying to some but not all localities).

Alexandria received perfect marks in the categories of non-discrimination laws for employment, housing and public accommodations.

In the employer category, Alexandria got full marks for non-discrimination in city employment, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, and city contractor non-discrimination ordinance.

In the municipal services category, Alexandria received full marks for having a Humans Rights Commission, enforcement of non-discrimination ordinance, and LGBTQ+ liaison in the city executive's office.

In the leadership category, Alexandria got perfect marks for leadership's public position on LGBTQ+ equality and pro-equality legislative or public policy efforts.

Overall, Alexandria earned 98 of 100 standard points, only missing points in the inclusive workplace subcategory in the employer category. However, the city reached 100 maximum points with 10 flex points.

"Our city will continue working to ensure our LGBTQ+ community is safe, welcomed and respected," said Mayor Justin Wilson in a tweet about the city's index score.

Neighboring Arlington County and Fairfax County also received percent 100 scores. See other scores and information about the Municipality Equality Index here.