For a fifth consecutive year, and for the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, Rockville has scored perfect marks for the city’s commitment to the health, welfare, safety and equality of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
Rockville scored a perfect 100 out of 100, plus an additional 10 bonus points, for its nondiscrimination laws, law enforcement, employment and workplace inclusivity, leadership and services to the LGBTQ+ community.
“So much of this progress has been fueled by municipalities leading with equity, inclusion and respect,” HRC Foundation interim president Joni Madison states in the report’s introduction. “These city leaders understand that when LGBTQ+ residents and visitors are welcomed and embraced, this helps their entire municipality thrive.”
The 10th annual MEI scorecard, released in November, analyzes and rates 506 municipalities across the country, measuring each for the inclusivity of laws, policies and services for their LGBTQ communities.
This year, the cities rated include the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the U.S., the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, 75 cities and municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups members and supporters.
Ranked cities include more than 94.2 million in population.
Cities are rated across numerous criteria, covering citywide nondiscrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement and the city’s leadership on LGBTQ equality.
Rockville’s MEI report can be found at www.hrc.org/resources/municipalities/rockville. Learn more about the MEI at www.hrc.org/resources/municipalities.
| Rockville | 100 |
| College Park | 100 |
| Columbia | 100 |
| Frederick | 100 |
| Gaithersburg | 100 |
| Baltimore | 95 |
| Annapolis | 79 |
| Hagerstown | 68 |
| Bowie | 60 |